Enhanced Detect and Avoid Optical Sensing for Urban Air Mobility

Circle Optics proposes a NASA SBIR Phase II project to build, flight test, and deliver, a 7-channel visible DAA visor system. This system would use Sony IMX530 sensors and provide staring type imaging over a 112-degree horizontal FOV, with a 15-degree vertical FOV, to support a detection range of ~ 3.8 Nm. At the beginning of the Phase II project, Circle Optics would confer with the NASA TPOC to account for any changes or new information that has occurred in the interim, whether at NASA, Circle Optics, or in the emerging industry. Circle Optics would then complete the lens design and lens barrel design and order the custom optics. In parallel, Circle Optics would complete the system mechanical design, including for camera channel alignment and mounting, vibration isolation, electronics support, and ownship mounting. Circle Optics would complete the development of the data path and imaging software, to enable the output of tracked bogey aircraft data to the Detect and Avoid (DAA) analysis software. These efforts would converge on the assembly and testing of the cameras and integrated visor system, first in the lab, and then initial in-flight testing at Griffiss Airport in Rome, NY. Circle Optics would then deliver to NASA, a completed visor system, supporting test data, an operations manual, and final reports on system performance and paths forward. Circle Optics has developed novel wide field of view or panoramic camera systems that provide high resolution real-time stitch-free output imagery. Circle Optics is adapting this technology to enable improved situational awareness to enhance in-flight air safety for UAVs or eVTOLs. In the emerging future world of Urban Air Mobility (UAM)), with vehicles flying in congested airspaces, robust reliable sensing and AI systems to prevent collisions will be needed.  The FAA and NASA have recognized this risk and are collaborating to develop standards that recognize the need for sensing redundancy, and as a contributing solution, anticipates EO/IR imaging systems onboard eVTOLs or UAVs, to optically detect and track bogeys or non-cooperative aircraft within a substantial Field of Regard located in front of an air vehicle. Circle Optics can fulfill this need, with an optimized multi-camera visor type system that captures real-time images, integrated with Detect and Avoid (DAA) software, to simultaneously track bogey aircraft anywhere within the entire field of regard. Circle Optics proposes a NASA SBIR Phase II project to build, flight test, and deliver, a 7-channel visible DAA visor system. This system would use Sony IMX530 sensors and provide staring type imaging over a ± 112-degree horizontal FOV, with a ± 15 degree vertical FOV, to support a detection range of ~ 3.8 Nm. At the beginning of the Phase II project, Circle Optics would confer with the NASA TPOC to account for any changes or new information that has occurred in the interim, whether at NASA, Circle Optics, or in the emerging industry.  Circle Optics would then complete the lens design and lens barrel design and order the custom optics. In parallel, Circle Optics would complete the system mechanical design, including for camera channel alignment and mounting, vibration isolation, electronics support, and ownship mounting. Circle Optics would complete the development of the data path and imaging software, to enable the output of tracked bogey aircraft data to the Detect and Avoid (DAA) analysis software.  These efforts would converge on the assembly and testing of the cameras and integrated visor system, first in the lab, and then initial in-flight testing at Griffiss Airport in Rome, NY.  Circle Optics would then deliver to NASA, a completed visor system, supporting test data, an operations manual, and final reports on system performance and paths forward.

In the emerging future world of Urban Air Mobility (UAM), with vehicles flying in congested airspaces, robust reliable sensing and AI systems to prevent collisions will be needed.  The FAA and NASA have recognized this risk and are collaborating to develop standards that recognize the need for sensing redundancy, and as a contributing solution, anticipates EO/IR imaging systems onboard eVTOLs or UAVs, to optically detect and track non-cooperative aircraft within a substantial Field of Regard. Circle Optics can fulfill this need. This technology will enable growth in the commercial UAS sector. Autonomous drones, capable of self-localizing and automatically performing maneuvers like selecting a safe emergency landing location in case of a system failure will become more common. UAS capable of achieving high levels of autonomy, such as sense and navigate, will be the first to meet the FAAs requirements for BVLOS operation.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.