This report describes tasks comparing the simulated performance levels of infrared (IR) sensing systems in detecting, recognizing, and identifying (DRI) targets using the Night Vision Integrated Performance Model (NV-IPM) version 1.1. Both mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) systems, chosen to represent the current state-of-the-art, were analyzed across various environmental conditions. These states included a range of both man-made and natural obscurants, selected to simulate atmospheric conditions commonly experienced throughout the world. This report investigates the validity of the NV-IPM, down-selects top-performing systems from an original set, and provides detailed performance analysis of these best-of-breed systems in various environmental scenarios. Six sensing systems, Indium-Antimonide (InSb) MWIR, Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (MCT) MWIR, nBn InSb MWIR, Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP) LWIR, uncooled LWIR, and dual-band MCT MWIR/LWIR system, were evaluated against a variety of environmental variations. Specifications for the IR systems were obtained from manufacturers or relevant published literature. Simulation results indicated the nBn InSb MWIR system as the strongest-performing system in many of the tests.
Recent research efforts at Georgia Tech have focused on the development of a multi-resolution ocean clutter model. This
research was driven by the need to support both surveillance and search requirements set by several government
customers. These requirements indicated a need to support target detection and tracking for both resolved and unresolved
scenarios for targets located either above or on an ocean surface. As a result of this changing sensor resolution
characteristic for the various acquisition scenarios, a need for accurate ocean surface models at different geometric
resolutions arose. Georgia Tech met this need through development of a multi-resolution approach to modeling both the
ocean surface and, subsequently, the ocean signature across the optical spectrum. This approach combined empirical
overhead data with high resolution ocean surface models to construct a series of varying resolution ocean clutter models.
This paper will describe the approach to utilizing and merging the various clutter models as well as the results of using
these models in the target detection and tracking analysis. Remaining issues associated with this clutter model
development will be identified and potential solutions discussed.
KEYWORDS: Sensors, Surveillance, Data centers, Information security, Homeland security, Video surveillance, Video, Computer security, Defense and security, Cameras
On October 8, 2001, an Executive Order was signed creating the White House Office of Homeland Security. With its formaiton comes focused attention in setting goals and priorities for homeland security. Analysis, preparation, and implementation of strategies will hinge not only on how information is collected and analyzed, but more important, on how it is coordinated and shared. Military installations/facilities, Public safety agencies, airports, federal and local offices, public utilities, harbors, transportation and others critical areas must work either independently or as a team to ensure the safety of our citizens and visitor. In this new era of increased security, the key to interoperation is continuous information exchanged-events must be rapidly identified, reported and responded to by the appropriate agencies. For instance when a threat has been detected the security officers must be immediately alerted and must have access to the type of threat, location, movement, heading, threat size, etc to respond accordingly and the type of support required. This requires instant communications and teamwork with reliable and flexible technology.
A Rockwell staring infrared panoramic sensor (SIRPS) system will support the naval surface ship combatant against various threats such as anti-ship cruise missiles, sea skimming missiles, and various POI (points of interest) over the horizon. An ultra wide-angle shipboard electro-optical system that provides continuous 360 degree area surveillance can be deployed as a radar adjunct to detect threats where current radar systems have difficulty against low flying targets with multi-path reflection and sea surface clutter. The sensor provides detection of nonresolved targets over a panoramic 360 degree horizon field of view, and operates in a continuously staring mode providing positional and coordinate mapping of potential threats. Full azimuthal coverage with high angle resolution is achieved by using a distributed array of only four 640 by 480 HgCdTe focal plane arrays (FPAs) responsive over the mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) waveband of 3.8 to 4.8 microns. A spectral band of 3.8 to 4.2 microns may instead by incorporated by using a 4.2 micron cutoff detector material. Rockwell has produced 4.2 cutoff FPAs for other applications. Final selection of these detection wavebands will optimize system performance for various potential target's exhaust spectral content. Current analysis has been done for the 3.8 to 4.8 micron waveband for preliminary system trades. Considerable cost reduction can be accomplished through the use of split-aperture optics to diplex two different azimuthal fields of view onto separate halves of each FPA. Optical diplexing reduces by one-half the required number of FPA, dewar and cryo-cooler subassemblies.
The development of two 256 by 256 hybrid HgCdTe focal plane array (FPA) families is described, and their performance is discussed. The hybrid FPAs employ a PV HgCdTe detector array and custom Si CMOS readouts. The PACE-1 process was used to fabricate the detectors, whereby the liquid phase epitaxial growth of HgCdTe occurs on sapphire substrates buffered by a layer of CdTe. The performance characteristics of the detector arrays are given. A tactical 256 by 256 CMOS readout is tested, in which a high functional yield was achieved. Updated test results are given for a 256 by 256 readout circuit developed for use in an orbital replacement instrument for the Hubble Space Telescope. The characterizations of several MWIR and SWIR FPAs were thorough and shown to be reliable. The pixel yield, maximum FPA responsivity nonuniformity, and SWIR FPA read noise for the tests are given. The high contrast and insignificant fixed pattern noise of the imagery from the MWIR 256 by 256 FPA are emphasized. These qualities were obtained when the device was operating at 80 k and utilizing f/2 optics with an 8-in. focal length and a 4.4 micron high pass filter.
Conference Committee Involvement (10)
Infrared Technology and Applications XLIX
30 April 2023 | Orlando, Florida, United States
Infrared Technology and Applications XLVIII
3 April 2022 | Orlando, Florida, United States
Infrared Technology and Applications XLVII
12 April 2021 | Online Only, Florida, United States
Infrared Technology and Applications XLVI
27 April 2020 | Online Only, California, United States
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