Most SWIR sensing applications are limited to cutoff wavelength of 1.7μm at room temperature due to the energy gap of InGaAs alloy lattice matched to InP. Nevertheless, there is an increasing demand for detectors with extended cutoff wavelength of up to 2.5μm for various applications. Due to system requirements those detector should be operated at near room temperature conditions. The high temperature operation requirement limits the use of high Indium content alloys, since those alloys are strained related to the InP substrate and exhibit high dark current and poor uniformity, or even SWIR MCT – both of which need significant cooling.
In this paper we will present some comparative methods for evaluation of extended wavelength SWIR detectors with reduced dark current, working at near room temperature. Those types of detectors can be based on lattice matched alloys consist of type II superlattice, as well as other advanced structures, expected to have better uniformity and utilized for variety of SWIR based applications.
A fourth generation of SWIR based optical detection and warning means is presented as the EL/O–5220 OTHELLO passive Optical Threat Locator, which detects and precisely finds directions towards a source of battle tank gun fire and missile (e.g. Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs)) launch events in the battlefield. OTHELLO hardware is described followed by an explanation of some inherent advantages of SWIR imagers as building blocks for optical detection systems mounted on ground military vehicles at harsh and demanding operating conditions. Finally we describe possible application of OTHELLO with radar systems.
Infrared Search and Track (IRST), Missile Warning Systems (MWS) and other optical target detection systems have
established solutions in the MWIR, UV and LWIR bands. Imaging technology in the SWIR optical band which has
small Size, Weight and Power (SWAP) has been recently added as detection means. We bring an update on recent field
trials and demonstrations of Optigo's gun shot detection modules. We then provide some more insight into the
advantages of using the SWIR band, and specifically InGaAs detectors for the typical HFI missions. We conclude by
demonstrating that detection systems operating in the SWIR band can significantly improve their performance when the
cutoff wavelength approaches longer edge of SWIR.
In recent years the TED system has been under development, starting from new SWIR sensor technology, optics and
real-time sensor technologies and following with complete system architecture as a soldier mounted optical gun shot
detection system with high precision and imaging means.
For the first time, the modules and the concept of operation of the system will be explained, with emphasis on new
sensor-to-shooter capabilities.
Actual field trial results will be shown.
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