Limits of Thermal Sensors (LOTS)

Abstract

The long wave infrared (LWIR) is the most commonly used spectral band for thermal imagery, and current systems must choose between high performance cryogenically cooled focal plane arrays (FPAs), and uncooled microbolometers. Microbolometers offer a significant reduction in size, weight, and cost (SWaP-C), at the expense of reduced sensitivity and slower response time. The objective of the LOTS program is to demonstrate a detector technology that breaks this traditional trade space by providing the same benefits in SWaP-C as current microbolometers while approaching the sensitivity of a cryogenically cooled sensor. The result will be the ability to deploy smaller, lighter, cheaper sensors on higher value assets and in more critical missions.

Document Details

Document Type
Accomplishment
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2017
Source ID
b3411e7ee676dfdc3d6870136973f239

Tags

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Mathematics or Statistics
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Space Objects

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