History
AOptix Technologies is the world leader in the commercial development of Adaptive Optics (AO) technology. With roots in astronomical imaging, AOptix is creating new performance standards in commercial and defense wireless communications, and advanced iris recognition biometrics.
Before the invention of Adaptive Optics in the 1990's, astronomical telescopes were limited in spatial resolution by the significant distortion effects of the thermal boundary layers in the atmosphere. Placement atop the mountains of Mauna Kea and Haleakala in Hawaii provided some relief due to the height of these mountains, but these telescopes still performed well below their diffraction limits. The application of Adaptive Optics improved spatial resolution in deep space imaging by up to 20 times as measured by Strehl ratios, thereby revolutionizing deep space imaging. Our founders were leaders in these developments.
The company was founded in 2000 to exploit commercial opportunities of Adaptive Optics technology, and has received funding support from leading venture firms since its inception.
Target Applications and Products
The company is now engaged in three product arenas: defense laser communications (also known as "Lasercom or free space optical communications), commercial laser communications and biometrics.
Integrating targeting, tracking, data transmission and imaging capabilities with a proprietary approach called "Curvature" Adaptive Optics, AOptix has created communications solutions for transmitting data at very high bandwidths without fiber or cable at distances over 100km. Unique to AOptix, these systems adjust for imaging distortions due to heat layer boundaries, airflow turbulence and transceiver motion, allowing deployments in airborne and mobile applications never before possible.
In advanced iris recognition biometrics, Adaptive Optics enables full automation of iris biometric image capture while compensating for subject motion to retain the spatial resolution needed to capture remarkably high-quality iris images. AOptix is redefining the highly promising iris recognition modality, solving the key challenge to widespread deployment, subject human factors or usability.
Technology
The basic principle of Adaptive Optics is the real-time correction of distortions from atmospheric disturbances or object motion. Central to all AO systems are high speed closed loop control systems that optimize optical performance in the presence of wavefront errors, the technical term for optical distortions. Closed loop control measures wavefront errors and then calculates the needed adjustments, which are implemented through actuators such as deformable (or adaptive mirrors), or fast steering mirrors. AOptix designs and manufacturers our own deformable mirrors, which have the capability to change shape at very high speeds.
Advanced targeting and tracking using control loops is a natural extension of AO technology, AOptix has built leadership technological capability in this area, as well, and is utilizing unique and advanced multi-stage control designs.
A Proven History of Technology Success
Since our founding in 2000, AOptix has driven to many milestones that have helped shape the future of our technology.
In the Lasercom field, the company is the first to achieve:
- 800Gbps point to point lasercom link
- Uncompressed HD video transmitted over 150km distance
- Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking of an airborne terminal at jet speeds (250 knots) at a distance of over 200km
- Multiple uncompressed HD and SD video feeds over a single DWDM lasercom link
- IP voice call over wireless optical link - Mauna Loa to Haleakala
And in the iris recognition product, the company has achieved the following successes:
- Successful capture of industry standard, high quality images at 18 meters
- Commercialization of the first fully automated, stand-off iris recognition at 2 meters
- Image quality that consistently exceeds ISO standards (ISO / IEC 19794-6)
- Successful 2 eye iris enrollment of children as young as 5 months of age
