Today, requirements for imaging systems are shifting from standard definition to high-definition (HD) imaging systems. Along with HD imagers, users are also requiring embedded metadata and high precision pointing. These requirements place new demands on the opto-mechanical, thermal, and electrical subsystems of stabilized platforms that use these imagers. This paper discusses the impact of HD imagers on gimbal design, including requirements for better stabilization, better thermal management, and better electronics to handle the high data rates associated with HD imagers. We also discuss how the requirements for wide area surveillance sensors will further impact the gimbal designs for these sensors.
The Trijicon ATWS is a high performance, lightweight, compact clip on thermal sight for use with the TA31RCO
ACOG® weapon sight. FLIR Systems partnered with Trijicon to develop this sight using the Photon 640 imaging core.
This paper will discuss the features and performance of the ATWS and describe some of the design challenges
associated with this type of device.
The latest generation of heavily armored vehicles and the proliferation of IEDs in urban combat environments dictate
that electro-optical systems play a greater role in situational awareness for ground vehicles. FLIR systems has been
addressing the needs of the ground vehicle community by developing unique sensor systems combining thermal imaging
and electro-optical sensors, advanced image processing, and networking capabilities into compact, cost effective
packages.
This paper will discuss one of those new products, the WideEye II. The WideEye II combines long wave infrared and
electro-optical sensors in a 180 degree field of view, single integrated package to meet the critical needs of the
warfighter. It includes seamless electronic stitching of the 180 degree image, and state of the art networking capability to
allow it to be operated standalone or to be fully integrated with modern combat vehicle systems. The paper will discuss
system tradeoffs and capabilities of this new product and show potential applications for its use.
An effective enhanced vision system must operate over a broad spectral range in order to offer a pilot an optimized scene that includes runway background as well as airport lighting and aircraft operations. The large dynamic range of intensities of these images is best handled with separate imaging sensors. The EVS 2000 is a patented dual-band Infrared Enhanced Vision System (EVS) utilizing image fusion concepts. It has the ability to provide a single image from uncooled infrared imagers combined with SWIR, NIR or LLLTV sensors. The system is designed to provide commercial and corporate airline pilots with improved situational awareness at night and in degraded weather conditions but can also be used in a variety of applications where the fusion of dual band or multiband imagery is required. A prototype of this system was recently fabricated and flown on the Boeing Advanced Technology Demonstrator 737-900 aircraft. This paper will discuss the current EVS 2000 concept, show results taken from the Boeing Advanced Technology Demonstrator program, and discuss future plans for the fusion system.
An effective enhanced vision system must operate over a broad spectral range in order to offer a pilot an optimized scene that includes runway background as well as airport lighting and aircraft operations. The large dynamic range of intensities of these images is best handled with separate imaging sensors. The EVS 2000 is a patented dual-band Infrared Enhanced Vision System (EVS) utilizing image fusion concepts to provide a single image from uncooled infrared imagers in both the LWIR and SWIR. The system is designed to provide commercial and corporate airline pilots with improved situational awareness at night and in degraded weather conditions. A prototype of this system was recently fabricated and flown on the Boeing Advanced Technology Demonstrator 737-900 aircraft. This paper will discuss the current EVS 2000 concept, show results taken from the Boeing Advanced Technology Demonstrator program, and discuss future plans for EVS systems.
The recent interest in detecting asteroids and Reentrant Space Debris has developed a need for large field of view, high-resolution focal plane array cameras to provide for mapping and tracking of these objects. Ideally, a number of these cameras would be used around the world to provide a compete sky map. The Japan Space Forum is currently constructing one such facility in Japan. This paper is an update to the construction of tow cameras for the SJHF Bisei Spaceguard Facility. The camera for the 0.5 meter telescope has been installed and is operation. The camera for the 1.0 meter telescope is scheduled to be completed in June of 2001.
The recent interest in detecting asteroids and Reentrant Space Debris has developed a need for large field of view, high-resolution focal pane array cameras to provide for mapping and tracking of these object. Ideally, a number of these cameras would be used around the world to provide a complete sky map. The Japan Space Forum is currently constructing one such facility in Japan. This paper describes the construction and features of two cameras to be used at the Japanese facility. One camera will be used in conjunction with a half-meter telescope and the second camera will be used with a one meter telescope. Features of the camera included radiative cooling of the focal pane array to minimize stress on the detector assembly, a specially designed focal pane array mount to maintain flatness, a 24 hour hold time liquid nitrogen dewar, and high speed fiber optic readout. The cameras feature arrays of up to ten SITe ST002 2048 by 4096 backthinned CCDs for high performance and wide field of view.
We are currently constructing a 0.5-meter and a 1-meter wide-field telescope that will operate in tandem to detect and track Near Earth Objects and space debris. The telescopes have a single flat-plane Cassegrain focus, are optimized for a specific range of wavelengths of light, a small focal ratio with a wide field of view, and hold a single multi-chip CCD camera as their only observational instrument. Because these telescopes are designed for a specific type of observation, the costs of the telescopes are greatly reduced compared to similar sized multipurpose telescopes systems. To achieve high-quality NEO/Space Debris observations, the manufacturers of the telescope systems, CCD cameras, facilities, and software work together to integrate their cutting-edge technologies into a single robust system. In this paper we discuss the strategy, design, and implementation of our manufacturing team approach to building cost-effective advanced technology telescope systems.
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