Quantum Computing Inc. (QCI), a pioneer in full-stack photonic-based quantum computing and solutions, has received a follow-on task order to support NASA‘s remote sensing and climate change monitoring efforts. The task order is an expansion of a subcontract award QCI received in February 2023.
In this expanded project, QCI will test its quantum photonic system for remote sensing applications, dubbed QLiDAR, and process satellite images using its photonic-based reservoir computing technology. This innovative project, targeting an efficient approach to climate change monitoring, is slated to be completed in the second quarter of 2023.
LiDAR, a remote sensing method, often encounters sunlight interference or noise, especially in space-based applications. This noise impedes signal integrity, making gathering accurate daytime LiDAR measurements from space challenging. Dr. William McGann, QCI’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasizes the significance of their approach: “In this expanded project, we aim to leverage reservoir photonic computing to eliminate sunlight noise in satellite LiDAR images, thereby facilitating daytime operations of spaceborne LiDAR systems. Our current prototypes have exhibited impressive pattern prediction and recognition performance, indicating strong potential for sunlight noise removal.”
QCI’s wholly-owned subsidiary, QI Solutions, will carry out the quantum LiDAR work and apply photonic computing capabilities to process the LiDAR data. This will be executed under a subcontract from Science Systems Applications, Inc. (SSAI), a renowned scientific, engineering, and IT solutions provider.
The expanded subcontract entails running data from the QLiDAR system through the photonic-based reservoir computer. This setup will enhance the calculation accuracy of water volumes released from snowmelt. If successful, this project may lead to follow-on options, such as airborne testing and positioning these devices with the photonic reservoir system for enhanced satellite image signal integrity. This could potentially set up a global network for snow level monitoring, contributing significantly to our understanding of climate change and providing accurate data crucial to various agricultural sectors.
Sean Gabeler, President of QI Solutions, expressed optimism about the expansion of the contract, emphasizing the opportunity it provides for QCI to validate its technologies to NASA, a leading authority in space research and exploration. He further highlighted the features of QCI’s systems, including their single-photon sensitivity, robust noise rejection, high-ranking spatial resolution, and excellent image fidelity even at great distances through challenging environments.
Photo by Luca Micheli on Unsplash
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