SBIR-STTR Award

In this effort, a single ROIC device will be developed that simultaneously operates in “Imaging Mode” (i.e., for high spatial resolution imaging applications) as well as “Temporal Mode” (i.e., for high frame hostile fire detection applications). Nova’s design approach will use a single photodiode device in each of the unit cells. Switched capacitor circuitry within the unit cell architecture will be used to: • Store a representation of a given frame’s integrated photocharge on an in-cell capacitor at frame rates of up to 20 kHz. This is referred to as the “Temporal Mode” operation. • Perform analog “subframe averaging” on the resulting signal within each of the native (high resolution) unit cells, subsequently storing the time-averaged signal, thereby developing a high spatial resolution image at a 60 Hz rate. This is the “Imaging Mode” operation. Preliminary designs for the “Hostile Fire Indicating Infrared FPA” (HFIRFPA) ROIC will be produced; an initial physical layout of the unit cell circuitry will be performed in this Phase 1 effort.

Benefit:
The unique simultaneous, dual-mode operation of this new ROIC will permit both high spatial resolution video-rate imaging as well as high-speed hostile fire indication. This will enable new capabilities for future man-portable as well as UAV-based imaging, surveillance and reconnaissance applications.

Keywords:
Imaging, Hfi, Persistent, Surveillance, Roic, Fpa