Performance Capabilities and Utilization of MICOM's Diode Laser Based Infrared Scene Projector Technology

Abstract

This paper describes the current design characteristics and performance capabilities of the US Army Missile Command's (USAMICOM's) diode laser based infrared scene projector technology. The projector is now operational at the US Army Missile Command's Research, Development, and Engineering Center (RDEC) and is being integrated into several HWIL simulation facilities. The projector is based upon a linear array of Pb-salt diode lasers coupled with a high-speed optical scanning system, drive electronics and synchronization electronics. The projector design has been upgraded to generate 256X256 resolution scenes at 4 KHz frame rates, and the fabrication of a 544X544 projector is in progress. The projector system now includes real-time non-uniformity correction electronics and is interfaced with a real-time scene generation computer. In addition, a closed-cycle cryogenic cooling system has been added for increased dynamic range and maintenance-free operation. The system's modularity provides upgradability to meet specific performance requirements such as increased spatial resolution, different emission wavelengths, or dual-band scene projection. The projector's upgrade design and performance characteristics are presented in the paper, as well as sample images generated with the projector and captured by an InSh FPA sensor.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1996
Accession Number
ADA461367

Entities

People

  • D. B. Beasley
  • John B. Cooper

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Amplifiers
  • Arrays
  • Calibration
  • Computers
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Detectors
  • Dynamic Range
  • Electronics
  • Emission
  • Laser Diodes
  • Lasers
  • Prototypes
  • Scanners
  • Scene Generation
  • Simulations
  • Word Processors

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems