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2004
Conference Paper
Titel
3rd gen focal plane array IR detection modules and applications
Alternative
IR-Detektionsmodule mit Bildfeldmosaiken der dritten Generation und Anwendungen
Abstract
The 3rd generation of infrared (IR) detection modules is expected to provide video resolution or even more pixels and advanced functionalities like multicolor or multi band capability, higher frame rates and better thermal resolution. This paper is intended to present the current IR technology status at AIM based on the Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) and QWIP technology for ground and airborne applications in the high performance range. MCT LW for the extended spectral band 7.4 - 11.5 mu provide already excellent thermal and spatial resolution as well as excellent image homogeneity with integrated pixel deselect function and with second order correction algorithm techniques in established IR camera systems. The long term stability of the derived non-linear and linear correction coefficients from the second order fit in the spectral band 7.4 - 11.5 mu over the full scene temperature range provides the capability of infrequent intermediate calibrations in linear scanning IR camera systems. QWIP LWIR devices for the 8 - 10 mu spectral band and 640x512 pixels in a 24 mu pitch are designed to operate with short integration times in the range of 2 ms with a 14 Bit digital serial output providing good image quality in airborne applications with good thermal resolution of NETD < 40mK @ F/2, 2 ms. High speed MCT MWIR devices with 3.4-5mu spectral band and 256x256 pixels in a 40mu pitch are designed to provide > 800Hz full frame rate with pixel rates as high as 80Mpixels/s. A miniaturized command and control electronics with 14 Bit deep digital serial output provides state of the art interfaces. A 640x512 device in a 24 mu pitch is available to provide up to 200Hz full frame rate. Spectral selective detection with either temporal coincidence of the different colors or in a sequential mode with smaller pitch, better fill factor and the ability to use the wide band image for visualization and specific image processing algorithms are discussed on potential identification applications. In any case, the high frame rate of the high speed devices puts a new standard for seeker head or missile approach warning (MAW) applications. The 3.4-5mu devices exhibit excellent thermal resolution with NETD<10mK @ F/2, 1 ms. A dual band detector QWIP with combining MWIR and LWIR detection in each pixel is available with 384x288x2 pixel and 40 mu pitch, NETD < 35mk @ F/2, 6,8 ms for both peak wavelengths (4.8 mu and 8.0 mu).
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