Ian M. Sturland

Design and fabrication progress in BAe's high-complexity resistor-array IR scene projector devices

Developments are described in the design and manufacture of full 512 X 512 infra-red scene projector (IRSP) systems, as well as in a high complexity demonstrator program to realize 1024 X 1024 complexity. Design aspects include choice of drive circuit, the suspended resistor pixel design factors, the choice of busbar configurations, and the optimization of emissivity coatings. Design of the peripheral drive systems for the 512 system is outlined, and progress on manufacture reported. Development plans for the provision of suitable high complexity computer scene generation is outlined.

Performance characteristics of a 256 x 256 suspended resistor infrared scene generator system

A 256 X 256 suspended resistor infrared scene generator system is being constructed. The system consists of a high technology core device which generates the infrared radiation and three conventional technology peripheral subsystems. At the time of writing, measurements have been made of the critical core device component parts, i.e., the transistor drive backplane and the suspended resistor superstructure separately, measurements of the complete integrated system have yet to be completed. Measurements of performance are presented and brief subsystem descriptions are included to aid in understanding of the overall system.

Developments in the use and design of a suspended resistor IR scene projector technology

This paper describes two aspects of work carried out at British Aerospace on a family of suspended resistor infrared scene generators intended as sources for exercising infrared seeker systems in simulation environments. In the first aspect, a 256 X 256 system has matured and entered service with hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation facilities. This system, designated TPS4 (for thermal picture synthesizer) has performance suitable for air target tracking studies, and certain aspects of its characteristics in use are described. In the second aspect, research work has been carried out on the extension of the system performance to enable the representation of higher temperature targets, such as are required for countermeasures work. These improved devices are designated TPS5, and aspects of their rationale, design, and evaluation are described. Prototype arrays suitable for eventual systems of complexity 512 X 512 and beyond have been tested.

Update on BAe resistor-array design and development

We describe the status of various aspects of BAe resistor array infra-red scene projector systems for hardware-in-the- loop testing. The aspects covered include subsystem development on current 512 X 512 systems; electronic data handling and driver systems, optical projection collimators, heatsink, cooling and environmental gas control systems. Design aspects are sketched for the progression from existing demonstrator arrays of up to 1024 X 1024 into complete systems.

High-fill-factor suspended-resistor IR scene generator: design, fabrication, and preliminary performance

We describe an experimental program of design, fabrication and preliminary performance of an infrared scene generator system designed as a 256 X 256 element electrically heated pixel array. Each pixel consists of a suspended resistor element which has a high area fill factor, being designed as a 3D structure of an electronic drive backplane. Initial performance shows that a practical device can be designed with around 300 degree(s)C temperature range.