Synthetic Aperture Photogrammetry

Synthetic Aperture Photogrammetry (SAP) is an incoherent synthetic aperture technique that allows one to perform a number of optical processes that can synthesize a much larger lens.

For instance, by combining a number of "traditional" photographs of an object acquired from different viewing positions, a large aperture can be synthesized with a corresponding very narrow depth of field. Combined with various image processing steps, one can produce a well focused image of essentially any arbitrary plane within a partially transparent volume. Applications range from microscopy to foliage penetration and ground surface imaging to improved underwater imaging. Techniques to obtain improved resolution can also be employed. The synthetic aperture photogrammetry technique can also be used to help detect stationary (and potentially suspicious) objects in a crowded public area.

Neva Ridge has performed a variety of demonstrations and simulations in the area of SAP. Here to the left, we present results from an experiment that demonstrates the SAP principle by imaging a motorhome parked within a forest. 14 individual frames of the partially obscured motorhome were combined using SAP principles to form the final synthetic aperture image.

For more information, contact Richard Carande