# 4:
Passive Range Finder
General
Description of Need:
Determining the range to an object or person has been a persistent problem for the Soldier. Current systems rely on laser range finding technologies. As CCD sensors become more prolific, the risk of the operator using laser range finding technology increases. A passive range finder would facilitate the function of locating an object or person without disturbing the person or object and without revealing the location of the operator of the range finding device.
Project Mission Statement:
Design and build a system to determine the range from the observer to at least one object within the field of view. Mechanisms for determining the range can include auto focusing, parallax measurement, or some other technique. Possible implementation of parallax measurement could include using more than one imager or through the lateral displacement of a single imager.
Desired Performance Goals:
The system should be able to determine the distance to a person or object that is less than 5000m to within 10 m or 1% of the distance, whichever is greater.
There are several goals that could improve the effectiveness of the system. These include:
1. Integrating a GPS system and a system that determines directional control to provide an eight digit Military Grid Reference System coordinate of the location of the person or object.
2. Graphically superimpose an outline of the object in a display.
3. Simultaneously determine the range, location, and outline of several of the objects.
4. Automatically detect and identify the location of all objects moving above a specified adjustable threshold speed within the field of view of the sensor.
Specify Desired Power and/or Other Logistical Targets or
Constraints:
The system should is expected to operate in conjunction with portable hand held optic systems. It should be capable of operating using only local battery power.
Specify Dual-Use Goals:
This could be used in machine vision for object identification and registration.
