Small pixel (25 micron) uncooled microbolometer focal plane arrays are now beginning to become available in limited numbers. Insight Technology has already demonstrated operation over temperature, without either a TE Cooler, or mechanical Shutter utilizing a small pixel 320X240 FPA integrated with small thermal electronics. The thermal sensor systems that utilize small pixel FPAs are well suited to unmanned or unattended type sensor systems especially when coupled with Insight's ability to operate the sensor without the TE cooler and, mechanical shutter. The overall systems are generally lightweight due to the smaller optical aperture required (as a function of the active area) and, have lower power requirements. At the same time, the small pixel sensors are able to meet the system requirements due to the continuing improvements achieved in the detector sensitivity. The proposed effort for Phase II shall include utilizing a 640X480 small pixel array coupled to miniaturized electronics and, high performance optics. This "test bed" shall be used for evaluation of technologies supporting present and, future warfighting capabilities including that of the NetFires Precision Attack Missile and, Common Missile Systems.Uncooled imaging infrared technology is gaining a larger presence in the commercial industry with numerous applications. Fire fighting, law enforcement, surveillance and industrial applications among others, are leading the way in utilizing this recent technology. As electronics and optics become universal to the various microbolometers, the cost to industry will significantly decrease. Within the increase in production of the microbolometers themselves to sustain the commercial desire, a dramatic cost decrease will be realized. Although, in order to make the microbolometer attractive for these and other commercial applications, the electronics and optics must be more economical. The benefit of this phase II SBIR is in achieving the objective of reducing the cost of the optics and electronics and at the same time improving the performance to be able to utilize the 640 X 480 FPA configuration. Utilizing the 640 X 480 Uncooled FPA will allow for the maximum performance while taking advantage of the commercialization of the Uncooled FPA technology.
Keywords: 640X480 uncooled infrared seeker and test hardware
