Jay James

Radiance calibration of target projectors for infrared testing

This paper provides a procedure for radiometric calibration of infrared target projectors using the RAD-9000 MWIR/LWIR spectral radiometer - a high-performance instrument supporting extremely accurate absolute and relative radiometric calibration of EO test systems. We describe the rationale for radiometric calibration, an analysis of error sources typically encountered by investigators during calibration of infrared imaging cameras when using target projectors, and a strategy for performing an absolute system end-to-end radiometric calibration with emphasis on high accuracy and ease of use.

MIRAGE: developments in IRSP system development, RIIC design, emitter fabrication, and performance

Santa Barbara Infrareds (SBIR) family of MIRAGE infrared scene projection systems is undergoing significant growth and expansion. The first lot of production IR emitters is in fabrication at Microelectronics Center of North Carolina/Research and Development Institute (MCNC-RDI), the state-of-the-art MEMS foundry and R&D center which completed prototype fabrication in early 2003. The latest emitter arrays are being produced in support of programs such as Large Format Resistive Array (LFRA) and MIRAGE 1.5, MIRAGE II, and OASIS. The goal of these new development programs is to increase maximum scene temperature, decrease radiance rise time, support cryogenic operation, and improve operability and yield. After having completed an extremely successful prototype run in 2003, SBIR and MCNC-RDI have implemented a variety of emitter process improvements aimed at maximizing performance and process yield. SBIR has also completed development and integration of the next-generation MIRAGE command and control electronics (C&CE), an upgraded calibration radiometry system (CRS), and has developed test equipment and facilities for use in MIRAGE device wafer probing, test, evaluation, diagnostic, and assembly processes. We present the latest emitter performance data, an overview of emitter foundry processing and packaging improvements, and an update on MIRAGE II, LFRA, and OASIS development programs.

Large format resistive array (LFRA) infrared scene projector (IRSP) performance and production status

SBIR has completed development of the Large Format Resistive Array (LFRA) Infrared Scene Projector (IRSP) and shipped the first production system. Nine more systems are in production and will be shipped to several US Government customers on approximately six week centers. The commercial name of the LFRA IRSP is Mirage XL. System performance meets a broad range of program requirements and SBIR has been extremely successful in producing this ground breaking projector.

OASIS: cryogenically-optimized resistive arrays and IRSP subsystems for space-background IR simulation

SBIR has completed design and development of prototype emitter arrays and is completing custom cryogenic vacuum device packaging and support electronics for the Optimized Arrays for Space-background Infrared Simulation (OASIS) program. The OASIS array is a 512 x 512 device featuring high output dynamic range, a selectable analog/digital scene data interface, and the capability to operate from cryogenic to ambient substrate temperatures - thereby providing an enabling technology for projection of simulated radiance of space-background scenes. Prototype emitter production has been completed at RTI International in support of initial deliveries. The OASIS array package incorporates novel electrical bussing schemes optimized for the OASIS RIIC and a modular architecture to allow user re-configuration of both window and emitter shield. The OASIS package leverages LFRA operation features, and supports both ambient and cryogenic chamber-based operation with a minimum of mechanical and electrical re-configuration. The OASIS close support electronics (CSE) supports both analog and digital input data modes, while providing easy electronic connection between arrays installed in the cryogenic chamber and the external control and scene-generation systems. We present a technical overview of the OASIS array/package and CSE designs, and will report on measured radiometric performance from prototype OASIS arrays.

Advanced man-portable test systems for characterization of UUTs with laser range finder/designator capabilities

This paper presents the latest developments in instrumentation for military laser range-finder/designator (LRF/D) test and evaluation. SBIR has completed development of two new laser test modules designed to support a wide range of laser measurements including range accuracy and receiver sensitivity, pulse energy and temporal characteristics, beam spatial/angular characteristics, and VIS/IR to laser co-boresighting. The new Laser Energy Module (LEM) provides automated, variable attenuation of UUT laser energy, and performs measurement of beam amplitude and temporal characteristics. The new Laser/Boresight Module (LBM) supports range simulation and receiver sensitivity measurement, performs UUT laser beam analysis (divergence, satellite beams, etc), and supports high-accuracy co-boresighting of VIS, IR, and laser UUT subsystems. The LBM includes a three-color, fiber-coupled laser source (1064, 1540, and 1570 nm), a sophisticated fiber-optic module (FOM) for output energy amplitude modulation, a 1-2 μm SWIR camera, and a variety of advanced triggering and range simulation functions.

RAD9000: a high-performance spectral radiometer for EO calibration applications

The US Navy incorporates a series of spectral radiometers to calibrate its inventory of IR test equipment. However, the Navy now has IR imagers of such high performance, especially staring FLIRs, that the current inventory of radiometers are inadequate to meet Test Accuracy Ratios of 4:1. As a result, the Navy started a development program to design a new spectral radiometer of such performance that a 4:1 TAR could again be achieved. This paper provides a discussion of the design and performance of the new radiometer developed by SBIR for the Navy, the RAD9000 MWIR/LWIR spectral radiometer. The RAD9000 system features an all-reflective optical system, internal and external thermal reference sources, a visible camera-based sighting/alignment capability, modular MWIR and LWIR detector/filter subassemblies, flexible control/display software, and a sophisticated graphical user interface (GUI). We present prototype performance data describing the instruments thermal sensitivity, radiometric accuracy, spectral resolution, calibration, and other important parameters

Man portable electro-optic test system (MPETS) development

The man portable electro-optic test system (MPETS) is the next generation of electro-optical (EO) automatic test equipment (ATE). The initial application of MPETS is with the reconfigurable transportable consolidated automated support system (RTCASS) to support existing and emerging test program sets (TPSs). MPETS is being developed with participation from the US Navy, US Marines, US Army and US Air Force. The MPETS system will be capable of testing existing and emerging Infra Red (IR), laser range finder, laser designator, and visible EO sensor systems. MPETS applies an innovative approach of utilizing commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology and recent industry developments to allow MPETS to test emerging technologies being applied in EO units under test (UUTs), in a configuration that is transportable and re-configurable. MPETS design allows EO TPSs that are hosted on CASS to be easily transportable to MPETS. MPETS will apply the standardization of EO testing and drivers being defined under the EO Working Group within the interchangeable virtual instrument (IVI) foundation. The software interface between the MPETS and RTCASS will make use of Automatic Test Markup Language (ATML). MPETS will use IRWindows/spl trade/ software for implementation of EO tests. IRWindows/spl trade/ is a commercial software package widely used in industry. MPETS faces the challenge of combining portability with precise measurements of large UUTs; as well as, the challenge of combining transportability of existing TPSs that test older technology UUTs, with emerging TPSs that test advanced technology UUTs. The hardware/software architecture and interfaces of MPETS will make it easily upgradeable to support future EO testing requirements and for applying any future improvements in test technology. An overview of the MPETS program and details of the innovative hardware and software solutions will be discussed.

Progress and plans for incorporation of IVI standards for electro-optic testing

The DoD has determined that standardization of Electro-Optic testing is beneficial to current and future Automated Test Systems (ATS). Adopting standards will reduce cost of ownership of ATS and will improve flexibility through interoperability of ATS. The current state of the art in instrument standardization is the Interchangeable Virtual Instrument (IVI) Foundation standards already adopted for commercial standard test equipment such as Digital Multimeters. The Navy has formed a working group entitled “EO Software Working Group” that is meeting quarterly to come up with appropriate IVI standards for EO testing. Considerable progress has been made over the past two years. The first specification, for Blackbodies, has been produced (draft version). Over the next 18 months this will be finalized and submitted to the IVI Standards Committee for formal approval. In addition, other specifications for EO testing will be developed and submitted for formal incorporation. This paper will describe the needs for standardization in the ATS community and the progress in EO IVI standards.

MIRAGE: developments in emitter array fabrication and performance

SBIRs MIRAGE Infrared scene projector continues to break new ground in the area of dynamic IR scene projection. In July 2001, SBIR reached an exclusive licensing agreement with Honeywell Research Laboratories to fabricate emitter arrays using their industry standard process. SBIR has moved out aggressively to bring the benefits of this process coupled with the MIRAGE CMOS to the IR projection community. This paper discusses emitter array performance from Honeywell devices fabricated on legacy MIRAGE CMOS. It also discusses SBIRs upgraded CMOS plans, which will take advantage of the Honeywell process to extend the state-of-the-art of IR scene projector performance.