Wide FOV and Fast Active Optical Detection System

In this SBIR program, we propose to develop a wide angle and fast optical detection system for measuring the slung load cable angle and angular rate in real time, which is necessary to stabilize the external loads in heavy-lift vertical resupply operations by fleet helicopters or unmanned helicopters. This development efforts leverage Agiltrons extensive experiences in developing the variety of imaging based photonic sensing technologies. This proposed system is based on active sensing architecture using an eye-safe near IR laser, laser transmission filter and CMOS image sensor. The new system will have the superior performances, including a very large measurement angle, a high speed tracking and data updating rate, and high angle accuracy. This system is robust and very effective even in degraded visual conditions or turbulent atmospheric conditions. In Phase I Agiltron has successfully demonstrated the core technologies and devices for the proposed optical detection system, which has met or exceeded the program performance targets. The Phase II development will prototype this active optical detection system which will be evaluated in real environments by installation into fleet helicopters.