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Feb 06th

SBIR News

Untethered HMD Training

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As the Phase 2 SBIR winner of PEO STRI topic A07-184 entitled High Speed Wireless 3-D Video Transmission to Support Virtual Dismounted Training, RPA has developed a man wearable solution that can support up to HD (1080p) resolution video and other required sensor (head motion tracking, simulated weapons, motion control, audio, and expansion for future requirements) to provide untethered training with helmet mounted display systems.

The RPA solution removes the need for an image generation computing platform to be carried by the soldier, allowing the highest performance graphics systems to be employed. Dismounted training requires the highest level of fidelity possible given that the soldier operates in such close proximity to their environment. Maximizing scene content and detail are critical elements to providing the most realistic, immersive environment possible for the wide range of training scenarios that are required to ready soldiers for the myriad of situations they could encounter.

As a result of the progress of our research and development, RPA has recently received the following from the Army:

“Congratulations! RPA Electronic Solutions is one of 25 companies that have been identified by the Army SBIR Program Management Office (PMO) for participation in the Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) for 2011, in connection with your Phase II project entitled “High Speed Wireless 3-D Video Transmission to Support Virtual Dismounted Training.”

The U.S. Army established the CPP with the purpose of increasing SBIR technology transition and commercialization success.”

The honor of receiving CPP participation provides us with the opportunity to further develop the wireless system to production quality, deploying a series of systems into an active training program. The sponsoring program provides us with many different training stations, supporting tasks that could include vehicle operation, weapons operation, IED recognition, and interaction with other soldiers and characters.

The RPA wireless product will provide a combination of the highest fidelity graphics with trainee freedom of movement not available with other portable solutions. The system incorporates a modular design, standard interfaces, and expansion for future enhancement.

For more information

 

Interface between Image Generator and Display

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Topic Number N02-191
Phase II+

Many existing image generator (IG) systems lack the required fidelity for particular tasks because the tradeoff between rendering performance and image update rate.  Low update rates causes the scene load management to limit, or cull, certain objects from the scene.  Several methods are used, including  dynamically limiting the back of the viewing frustum (range limiting), dropping moving objects, or forcing the level of detail of selected objects to a lower level in times of heavy load.  Allowing the IG more time to render each frame of imagery would provide a mechanism for those systems to include more of these objects back into the scene.

A system which can manipulate raster imagery from a video source, to provide smooth motion on display refresh intervals based on ownship motion, would allow the IG the extra time it desires to improve scene content.

This proposal addresses two essential areas of image generator (IG) performance improvement.
  1. Use with low cost – PC IG solutions
  2. Use with existing – older technology IGs
In both cases, a system is desired which has minimal impact on the current design of such systems.  The proposed system would have no requirement for specific real-time operating software, or database formats.  It will operate using only previously rendered images, with an interface to real-time software to provide current vehicle (ownship) attitude (Pitch, Roll, Yaw), as well as initialization information to define the window to be altered relative to the vehicle coordinate system.
 

Automated Measurement/Alignment of Immersive Visual Displays

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Topic Number N03-180
Phase II+ and Phase III

Complexity of immersive displays continues to grow and so does required setup and calibration.  A myriad of measurements and adjustments must be performed to verify compliance of systems and components to specifications.  Routine system maintenance sometimes necessitates less involved system alignment to minimize system down-time.

Traditionally, a number of instruments are used.  Transits may be used to verify absolute locations of points on the display surface with respect to the design eyepoint (or other given design reference).  Luminance meters may be used to measure brightness for color matching and edge blending.

Large amounts of manual setup, measurement, and interpretation, followed by manual and/or computer based calculations are used to provide feedback to the image source to correct parameters.

Advances in amateur telescopes during the 1990s yielded tracking precision accuracy on the order of arc-seconds.  Coupled with a calibrated video camera, the simulation community has an opportunity to create a precision measurement and feedback device for verification and auto-alignment of complex display parameters.

The proper mix of COTS components, adaptable mounting hardware, and computer control software, will produce an effective device which minimizes setup time, labor, and costs.  With open format data output, the system will be a tool which any display system or image generator (IG) vendor can use as a valuable alignment aid.
 
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Latest News

Untethered HMD Training

As the Phase 2 SBIR winner of PEO STRI topic A07-184 entitled High Speed Wireless 3-D Video Transmission to Support Virtual Dismounted Training, RPA has developed a man wearable solution that can su...
Read more...

Interface between Image Generator and Display

Many existing image generator (IG) systems lack the required fidelity for particular tasks because the tradeoff between rendering performance and image update rate.  Low update rates causes the scene...
Read more...

Automated Measurement/Alignment of Immersive Visual Displays

Complexity of immersive displays continues to grow and so does required setup and calibration.  A myriad of measurements and adjustments must be performed to verify compliance of systems and componen...
Read more...