Abstract: An exemplary platform independent sensing platform system and method that streamline the sensing operations of unmanned aerial-amphibious vehicles for remote or wide area analysis and/or monitoring of a body of water. The exemplary sensing platform system and method employ a remote sensing payload that wirelessly tethers to an edge sensing platform to operate synchronously with one another as the remote sensing payload samples a body of water at different depths and at different locations while being deployed and extracted from a given different locations by the unmanned aerial-amphibious vehicle.

Abstract: Underwater Deployable Structures (UDSs) capable of achieving inflation via mechanical pumps, moisture-activated expanding foams, water swelling material, or a hybrid of a mechanical pump and water swelling material. Moisture expanding foams begin as polyurethane-based resins of low viscosity, and react in the presence of water to become solid foam. In their final forms, the foams exist as open- or closed-cell, and vary in strength, elasticity, and rigidity. Water swelling material is also disclosed wherein the water swelling material is capable of achieving expansion numerous (e.g., up to about 250) times its initial volume when in contact with water and can shrink back to its initial volume upon dehydration, making the UDSs reusable. A mechanical pump may optionally be used to assist in initial inflation until the water swelling material reaches full expansion.

Abstract: An exemplary method for training an artificial neural network, along with the associated neural network system, that can learn or account for characteristics associated with spatial domain loss component and a frequency domain loss component, e.g., via Fourier space-loss function. The frequency domain loss component, e.g., via the Fourier space loss function, facilitate the analysis of the turbulence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for improved imaging of objects underwater. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in a degraded underwater visual environment. The method and apparatus are also useful in undersea operations in which enhanced visualization at close range is desirable. Exemplary operations include diver assist, ship hull inspections, underwater robotic operations (e.g. sample collection, mine neutralization), etc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provides for improved imaging of objects underwater. The method and apparatus are particularly useful in a degraded underwater visual environment. The method and apparatus are also useful in undersea operations in which enhanced visualization at close range is desirable. Exemplary operations include diver assist, ship hull inspections, underwater robotic operations (e.g. sample collection, mine neutralization), etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a HAUCS sensing platform. The methods comprise: autonomous travel by a UAAV to a first location in proximity to a body of water (“BoW”) in accordance with a mission plan; actuating a mechanical device to transition a sensor from a retracted position in which the sensor is adjacent to a UAAV to an extended position in which the sensor resides a given distance from a UAAV; collect, by HAUCS sensing platform and sensor, sensor data concerning a water condition of BoW at different depths; actuating the mechanical device to transition the sensor from the extended position to the retracted position after the sensor data has been collected; causing the sensor data to be processed using a machine learning-based analytical engine to determine whether a water distress condition exists/is predicted to occur; and modifying the mission plan when the water distress condition exists/is predicted to occur.

Abstract: Underwater Deployable Structures (UDSs) capable of achieving inflation via mechanical pumps, moisture-activated expanding foams, water swelling material, or a hybrid of a mechanical pump and water swelling material. Moisture expanding foams begin as polyurethane-based resins of low viscosity, and react in the presence of water to become solid foam. In their final forms, the foams exist as open- or closed-cell, and vary in strength, elasticity, and rigidity. Water swelling material is also disclosed wherein the water swelling material is capable of achieving expansion numerous (e.g., up to about 250) times its initial volume when in contact with water and can shrink back to its initial volume upon dehydration, making the UDSs reusable. A mechanical pump may optionally be used to assist in initial inflation until the water swelling material reaches full expansion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a HAUCS sensing platform. The methods comprise: autonomous travel by a UAAV to a first location in proximity to a body of water (“BoW”) in accordance with a mission plan; actuating a mechanical device to transition a sensor from a retracted position in which the sensor is adjacent to a UAAV to an extended position in which the sensor resides a given distance from a UAAV; collect, by HAUCS sensing platform and sensor, sensor data concerning a water condition of BoW at different depths; actuating the mechanical device to transition the sensor from the extended position to the retracted position after the sensor data has been collected; causing the sensor data to be processed using a machine learning-based analytical engine to determine whether a water distress condition exists/is predicted to occur; and modifying the mission plan when the water distress condition exists/is predicted to occur.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to compressive line sensing imaging. Initially, a codebook is configured with a pattern sequence for a series of illumination patterns. Each light element in an individually addressable laser diode array (IALDA) is independently controlled to project the series of illumination patterns onto a target. Next, measurements of the target are acquired based on the series of illumination patterns. The codebook is then used to decode the measurements to create an image of the target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object enumeration in a culture tank. The methods comprise: obtaining an array of two dimensional images of an illuminated scene in a culture tank; correcting non-uniform background illumination in the two dimensional images; improving a color contrast between a background and object edges shown in the two dimensional images; performing a defocus analysis using the two dimensional images to generate a focus map image; generating a modified focus map image by eliminating isolated spots shown in the focus map image and merging relatively small spots with adjacent relatively large objects in the focus map image; classifying each object shown in the modified focus map image as an object of interest or an object of no interest; and counting the number of objects classified as objects of interest.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing scattering in a medium of a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) system and systems therefrom are provided. A method includes obtaining off-axis power return characteristics with respect to a first wavelength of light and on-axis power return characteristics for at least the first wavelength of light. The method also includes estimating at least one beam attenuation coefficient (c) based on the off-axis power return characteristics and common volume parameter function for the LiDAR system and an extinction coefficient (?) for the medium based on the on-axis power return characteristics. The method further includes extracting a value for at least one diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) for the medium using a beam spread parameter for the LiDAR system (D) and a pre-defined relationship between ?, c, D, and Kd.

Abstract: Systems and methods for object enumeration in a culture tank. The methods comprise: obtaining an array of two dimensional images of an illuminated scene in a culture tank; correcting non-uniform background illumination in the two dimensional images; improving a color contrast between a background and object edges shown in the two dimensional images; performing a defocus analysis using the two dimensional images to generate a focus map image; generating a modified focus map image by eliminating isolated spots shown in the focus map image and merging relatively small spots with adjacent relatively large objects in the focus map image; classifying each object shown in the modified focus map image as an object of interest or an object of no interest; and counting the number of objects classified as objects of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to compressive line sensing imaging. Initially, a codebook is configured with a pattern sequence for a series of illumination patterns. Each light element in an individually addressable laser diode array (IALDA) is independently controlled to project the series of illumination patterns onto a target. Next, measurements of the target are acquired based on the series of illumination patterns. The codebook is then used to decode the measurements to create an image of the target.

Abstract: A method for feeding larval fish in an artificial habitat having a water level, includes the step of providing in the habitat a plurality of light sources at a plurality of three dimensional locations in the habitat and below the water level. Inanimate food particles are placed into the water. The plurality of lights are pulsed at the plurality of three dimensional locations intermittently to illuminate the food particles from a variety of different angles within the habitat. A system for feeding fish, a habitat for fish, and a larval fish food are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for characterizing scattering in a medium of a Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) system and systems therefrom are provided. A method includes obtaining off-axis power return characteristics with respect to a first wavelength of light and on-axis power return characteristics for at least the first wavelength of light. The method also includes estimating at least one beam attenuation coefficient (c) based on the off-axis power return characteristics and common volume parameter function for the LiDAR system and an extinction coefficient (?) for the medium based on the on-axis power return characteristics. The method further includes extracting a value for at least one diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd) for the medium using a beam spread parameter for the LiDAR system (D) and a pre-defined relationship between ?, c, D, and Kd.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided that includes a transmitter assembly with a light source and a microdisplay device, wherein the transmitter assembly defines an optical beam transmission path to provide illumination of a substantially one-dimensional (1D) region of a target area, the microdisplay device comprising a plurality of controllable elements for causing the illumination to be a substantially 1D pattern of light along the 1D region. The system further includes a receiver assembly for defining a return optical signal transmission path from the 1D region and collecting return optical signals from the 1D region. The system also includes a processing component for generating sensor information associated with the 1D region by processing the return optical signals from the 1D region with return optical signals from adjacent 1D regions using a distributed compressive sensing (DCS) technique.

Abstract: An imaging or sensor system comprises a transmitter assembly, a receiver assembly and a control unit. The transmitter assembly defines an outgoing optical beam transmission path with respect to a target surface and the receiver assembly defines a return optical signal transmission path from the target surface. Each of the paths includes transmission through or reflection from at least one microdisplay device comprising a plurality of controllable elements for selective placement in a transmit mode for transmission of light along the transmission paths. A control unit selectively places the microdisplay device elements in the transmission mode.

Abstract: A sensing system is provided that includes a transmitter assembly with a light source and a microdisplay device, wherein the transmitter assembly defines an optical beam transmission path to provide illumination of a substantially one-dimensional (1D) region of a target area, the microdisplay device comprising a plurality of controllable elements for causing the illumination to be a substantially 1D pattern of light along the 1D region. The system further includes a receiver assembly for defining a return optical signal transmission path from the 1D region and collecting return optical signals from the 1D region. The system also includes a processing component for generating sensor information associated with the 1D region by processing the return optical signals from the 1D region with return optical signals from adjacent 1D regions using a distributed compressive sensing (DCS) technique.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a sampling clock offset of an analog-to-digital converter used to digitize an analog image signal. A method comprises buffering samples of an analog image signal, computing a value of an autocorrelation function using the buffered samples and a delayed version of the buffered samples, and repeating the computing a value for delays in a range of delays. The method also comprises computing a sampling frequency offset from the values of the autocorrelation function and changing a sampling frequency using the sampling frequency offset.

Abstract: A system and method for determining high frequency content in an analog image source. A method comprises creating a histogram of the image, and selecting a portion of the image based on the histogram. The histogram comprises a first number of horizontal bins and a second number of vertical bins, with each bin having an associated counter for maintaining a count of pixel differences of pixels in a portion of the image corresponding to the bin that exceed a threshold. The portion of the image selected corresponds to a portion of the histogram having a high pixel difference count relative to other portions of the histogram.