Optics.org
daily coverage of the optics & photonics industry and the markets that it serves
Featured Showcases
Photonics West Showcase
Press Releases
Menu
Press Release

Physical Optics Corporation (POC) Awarded SBIR Project: HECAD Phase II

Date Announced: 02 Feb 2012

Project focused on development of head-up display featuring long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensor data.

February 2, 2012 Torrance, CA – Physical Optics Corporation (POC), a systems integrator of advanced technology serving military, defense, and homeland security markets, announces the recent Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award for Phase II of the Helmet Embedded Conformal Augmented Display (HECAD) system. In collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), the HECAD Phase II award will provide two-year funding for continued work on an embedded ‘heads-up’ display to increase personal situation awareness for emergency responders.

The HECAD system is based on a modular design that integrates miniature commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS) microdisplays and includes POC’s see-through, low-profile waveguide optics, and lightweight, wearable, processing electronics and sensors. The next development segment builds on the success of Phase I, during which Physical Optics Corporation provided tangible and practical see-through display results, including longwave-infrared (LWIR) sensor data in real time for demonstrating augmented reality capability, while consuming very low power.

POC also developed the appropriate support electronics, software, and end-user-driven symbology, by working closely with end users and equipment manufacturers. Other Phase I accomplishments included the successful design of lightweight and compact mechanical packaging. This resulted in the advanced mockup and the first in-mask, active-matrix display with full-motion video.

In Phase II, POC will continue development of HECAD prototypes to enable advanced situation awareness by selectively displaying potentially life-saving information and real-time video from imaging sensors. The real-time data from LWIR cameras and sensors will be shown on a see-through, heads-up display that will not occlude the user’s visual field-of-view. Testing and evaluating performance in realistic field environments to determine the functionality, cost, and ease of use will also be addressed.

Throughout Phase II, POC will continue to work closely with the local emergency responders, and commercial equipment manufacturers to create the next-gen helmet.

Source: Physical Optics Corporation

Contact

Rick Shie,
Senior VP
Tel: 310-320-3088

E-mail: RShie@poc.com

Web Site: www.poc.com

© 2024 SPIE Europe
Top of Page