3rd-generation MW/LWIR sensor engine for advanced tactical systems

Donald F. King; Jason S. Graham; Adam M. Kennedy; Richard N. Mullins; Jeffrey C. McQuitty; William A. Radford; Thomas J. Kostrzewa; Elizabeth A. Patten; Thomas F. McEwan; James G. Vodicka; John J. Wootan

doi:10.1117/12.786620

22 April 2008 3rd-generation MW/LWIR sensor engine for advanced tactical systems

Donald F. King, Jason S. Graham, Adam M. Kennedy, Richard N. Mullins, Jeffrey C. McQuitty, William A. Radford, Thomas J. Kostrzewa, Elizabeth A. Patten, Thomas F. McEwan, James G. Vodicka, John J. Wootan

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 6940, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXIV; 69402R (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.786620
Event: SPIE Defense and Security Symposium, 2008, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Raytheon has developed a 3rd-Generation FLIR Sensor Engine (3GFSE) for advanced U.S. Army systems. The sensor engine is based around a compact, productized detector-dewar assembly incorporating a 640 x 480 staring dual-band (MW/LWIR) focal plane array (FPA) and a dual-aperture coldshield mechanism. The capability to switch the coldshield aperture and operate at either of two widely-varying f/#s will enable future multi-mode tactical systems to more fully exploit the many operational advantages offered by dual-band FPAs. RVS has previously demonstrated high-performance dual-band MW/LWIR FPAs in 640 x 480 and 1280 x 720 formats with 20 μm pitch. The 3GFSE includes compact electronics that operate the dual-band FPA and variable-aperture mechanism, and perform 14-bit analog-to-digital conversion of the FPA output video. Digital signal processing electronics perform "fixed" two-point non-uniformity correction (NUC) of the video from both bands and optional dynamic scene-based NUC; advanced enhancement processing of the output video is also supported. The dewar-electronics assembly measures approximately 4.75 x 2.25 x 1.75 inches. A compact, high-performance linear cooler and cooler electronics module provide the necessary FPA cooling over a military environmental temperature range. 3GFSE units are currently being assembled and integrated at RVS, with the first units planned for delivery to the US Army.

Citation Download Citation

Donald F. King, Jason S. Graham, Adam M. Kennedy, Richard N. Mullins, Jeffrey C. McQuitty, William A. Radford, Thomas J. Kostrzewa, Elizabeth A. Patten, Thomas F. McEwan, James G. Vodicka, and John J. Wootan "3rd-generation MW/LWIR sensor engine for advanced tactical systems", Proc. SPIE 6940, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXIV, 69402R (22 April 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.786620

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available