Multi-aperture imaging device for airborne platforms

L. C. Laycock; V. A. Handerek

doi:10.1117/12.739906

6 October 2007 Multi-aperture imaging device for airborne platforms

L. C. Laycock, V. A. Handerek

Proceedings Volume 6737, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications IV; 673709 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.739906
Event: Optics/Photonics in Security and Defence, 2007, Florence, Italy

Abstract

Imaging devices are very attractive as sensors in modern airborne platforms and there is a continuing trend toward widespread employment of imaging either alone or in combination with complementary technologies. In the civil domain, modern silicon CCD and CMOS image sensors are becoming extremely small, so that the package size of commercial miniature cameras is increasingly being dominated by the image forming optics, even if the latter is only a structure supporting a pinhole. Recently, there have been demonstrations of ultra-flat, extremely light weight sensors working in the visible region of the spectrum. Similar ideas for cameras developed to operate in the infra-red could help to drastically reduce the size, weight and cooling requirements of imaging, also offering substantial cost reductions. In addition, designs providing wide field-of-view can potentially eliminate the need for sightline steering hardware. This paper describes work on a biologically inspired imaging system offering a wide field of view, thanks to the use of a multi-aperture sensor based on micro-optics which can be used to observe simultaneously in different directions. Results from a near-infrared, narrowband demonstrator are reported.

Citation Download Citation

L. C. Laycock and V. A. Handerek "Multi-aperture imaging device for airborne platforms", Proc. SPIE 6737, Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems: Technology and Applications IV, 673709 (6 October 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.739906

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