Performance studies of two active SWIR instrument designs for vision enhancement in indoor applications

Enno Peters; Max Anders; Tristan Preis; Laura Kontschak; Jendrik Schmidt; Maurice Stephan

doi:10.1117/12.2680281

23 October 2023 Performance studies of two active SWIR instrument designs for vision enhancement in indoor applications

Enno Peters, Max Anders, Tristan Preis, Laura Kontschak, Jendrik Schmidt, Maurice Stephan

Proceedings Volume 12737, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications XX; 127370Z (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2680281
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2023, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Conference Poster

Abstract

Two compact and portable SWIR active imaging instrument configurations aiming at vision enhancement in indoor applications are tested and compared, working at 1300 nm and 1550 nm, respectively. Both configurations are in-house developments, but based on a limited number of standard and commercially available components (cameras, LEDs). The instruments provide images (640×512, resp. 1280×1024 pixels) at a rate of ca. 17 Hz (live stream) that can be displayed either directly on an integrated display or send via (wireless) network. Key specifications (optical power, field of view, heat development) have been characterized in laboratory tests. The performance of the two system configurations in terms of vision enhancement is compared both practically (field tests) and theoretically (Mie scattering theory). The 1300 nm illuminator has almost double power compared to the 1550 nm illuminator. However, Mie calculations predict more backscatter and less transmission through fog and smoke, which is highly depending on the particle size. Field tests using artificial fog and an in-house developed transmissiometer have been performed to validate the findings from modeling and found a vision enhancement in the order of one magnitude due to use of SWIR (instead of the Visible) for use in typical environments for which the instruments are designed for. A substantial additional improvement in terms of vision enhancement could be achieved by using polarized light and polarization optics to reduce the backscatter signal. In contrast to other research studies, this vision enhancement is not based on polarization difference imaging but on reducing the backscatter component only, enabling a robust and simple system design.

(2023) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Enno Peters, Max Anders, Tristan Preis, Laura Kontschak, Jendrik Schmidt, and Maurice Stephan "Performance studies of two active SWIR instrument designs for vision enhancement in indoor applications", Proc. SPIE 12737, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications XX, 127370Z (23 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2680281

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