Distant Focus specializes in designing and fabricating prototype systems. We typically supply prototype devices in quantities of 100 or less but can help you connect with competent manufacturing facilities for the transition to production quantities. Our staff offers decades of combined experience in optical and imaging system design. The following is a non-exhaustive list of our general specialties; if your project falls within one of these we would be happy to discuss it in more detail.
One example of a camera PCB that we designed. This rigiflex PCB was designed for special clearance and to be bonded directly to the glass optics.
Camera Design and Camera Prototyping:
We have CCD and CMOS camera designs ready to be tailored for your specific application. We can integrate USB, IEEE 1384, and custom interfaces into the design. Regarding CMOS sensors, we have experience with OmniVision's product line, but will work with any manufacturer's sensor or even your custom device providing data sheets are available. We also have experience with custom CCD camera designs such as the DALSA FT-18 full frame transfer device. We will assist you with whatever portion of the project that you desire; from the electronics, mechanical design, packaging, fabrication, all the way through testing and device characterization.
For an example of a complete custom camera system designed for DARPA, visit either the MONTAGE project or the Camera Array project pages.
We also have experience working with uncovered sensors and bonding optics directly to the die. In most cases we can remove the cover window at your request without damage to the sensor.
Optical and Optomechanical Design:
Welding a metal PCB frame to hold 128 cameras. The frame is made from INVAR to avoid thermal misalignment problems.
Our broad expertise in optics and optomechanics includes design, system fabrication, alignment, and assembly. This encompasses the integration and automation of motorized mechanical translators and other electronic instrumentation as required. We use a combination of ZEMAX, proprietary software, and Pro/Engineer to create complete system designs. LabVIEW, MATLAB, and even custom software can be specified for system automation. We are able to fabricate many custom components out of a variety of materials including INVAR for ultra-stable thermally invariant designs. From simple lens design to novel interferometric imaging systems, we have the expertise.
See the LIDAR project as one example.
Sensor Networks:
One of our initial projects was developing a distributed sensor array for DARPA's Unattended Ground Sensor program. Members of our team also participated in the design of a 64 camera 3-D imaging studio that performed 3-D volume reconstructions in real time using a custom Beowulf supercomputer. This project is described in more detail on the DISP History page under the Argus heading. A fundamental theme that threads through many of our projects was the integration of multiple sensors. This has provided us with a unique perspective on sensor networks that places us in an ideal position to assist with your next sensor network project.
Application Software:
The creation of application software is usually one of the most under appreciated and least planned for tasks in a project and yet, in the end, it tends to be one of the most crucial elements to the successful operation of the system. Nearly every project we have been involved with has had a significant software component. Our software has spanned the spectrum; from low-level VHDL for control of a CPDL, to embedded firmware on a micro-controller, to C++ for capturing and processing camera images, to Java user interfaces. We are competent in assembly (8051, 80x86, 68000), C, C++, Java, and a variety of scripting languages. Our OS platform of choice is Linux, yet we are equally competent under Microsoft Windows using Visual Studio. Typically our software projects have been integrated with a hardware project, but we are certainly willing to work on a software only project. Please contact us with your requirements and we would be happy to put a quote together.
Additional Services:
- Image Sensor Window Removal (coverglass removal): If you have an image sensor where you need the glass window removed, we should be able to provide this service for a nominal fee. The cost is determined by a number of factors, including whether we have to remove the sensor from a PCB first and reinstall it when finished. Call us for a quote.
- Diffractive optic design.
- Remote sensing and LIDAR systems.
- Custom microscope design.
Tools:
We create our own custom circuit designs and PCB layouts using a variety of open source tools as well as tools from Mentor Graphics.
- A sampling of tools we routinely use in our work:
Software:
- Pro/ENGINEER - 3-D Modeling
- ZEMAX - Optical Design
- MATLAB - Numerical Tools
- LabVIEW - Laboratory Automation
- PADS Layout - PCB Layout
- PADS Logic - Schematic Capture
- gEDA - Electronic Design and Simulation
- KDevelop - Integrated Developer Environment
- Microsoft Visual Studio (C++)
- GCC (C, C++)
Lab equipment:
- Standard Test and Measurement Equipment - Oscilloscopes, Logic Analyzers, Power Meters, DMMs, Signal Generators, etc.
- Standard and SMT Soldering Stations
- PCB Rework Stations
- Optical Handling Tools
- UV Epoxy Cure Stations
- Standard Optomechanical Construction Components
- Vibration Isolated Optical Tables
Terms of Service:
For general prototyping and first time custom work we'll provide a rough order of magnitude estimate of our time and the material cost. The job is then billed strictly for time worked and materials purchased. We only supply fixed quotes after making the first prototype. Our rates our competitive and we offer government rates that have been audited by the DCAA. In addition to the fabricated device, we provide you with a complete parts list, CAD drawings of all the mechanical parts, computer generated schematics and net-lists for the electronics as well as the computer generated PCB layout files. As a general rule, any design we do on your dime is owned by you, any design we use from our "toolbox" remains the property of Distant Focus. Please contact us for more details.