Project Title:

MINIATURE HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR PLANETARY ROVER MISSIONS

Advantech, Inc.
P.O. Box 2202
La Jolla, Ca. 92038

93-105.03   3975  _       AMOUNT REQUESTED $ 69,692

MINIATURE HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR PLANETARY ROVER MISSIONS
AND COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS - MINIATURE SPACE MANIPULATOR

Abstract:

A miniature holographic display system for planetary rover missions
and commercial applications will be developed. Present methods for
capturing, storing, and displaying visual scenes usually use
digital electronics. These techniques are not able to record three
dimensional (3-D) objects or visual scenes. On the other hand,
those holographic visualization schemes use photographic films
which are not directly compatible with digital data. The Advantech,
Inc. proposes a new and innovative opto-electronic holographic
system capable of capturing and storing the necessary Fourier
transform data from one data set (object), with the potential to
combine and display multiple data set, and to reconstruct a
hologram. The proposal will capitalize on the recent advances in
optical and electronic techniques. The optical method is based on
the projection of variable gratings onto a 3-D object to get the 3-
D information. The hologram is generated by using an opto-
electronic hybrid system. By using the system, the Fourier
transform or Fresnel diffraction pattern is calculated optically to
avoid the slow computer calculations. The synthesis of the hologram
can be done by a computer. The hologram is displayed on a spatial
light modulator (SLM) for 3-D reconstruction. In the proposal, the
principle of the method, the implementation and characteristics of
the system, and planned tasks are presented in detail. Potential
future applications have been discussed.

The results of Phase I effort will provide a feasibility
demonstration of a novel miniature opto-electronic holographic
display system. Potential commercial applications include a 3-D
display of x-ray computerized topography data, health monitoring in
hospitals, personal "Walkman" type advertisement and marketing
display, and holography-aided display for design of buildings and
automobiles.

miniatureholographic display, planetary rover missions