Abstract: A pixel of a pixel array is provided. The pixel includes a low frequency path configured to receive an input signal from a corresponding photodetector. The low frequency path includes a passive imaging circuit provided along the low frequency path, the passive imaging circuit configured to output an analog imaging signal and a flash analog to digital converter (ADC) that receives the analog imaging signal and processes the analog imaging signal to output a coarse digitized signal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a camera with a solid-state sensor and an illumination selector. The illumination selector is arranged for optical coupling with the sensor and arranged for communicating electromagnetic radiation within a shortwave infrared narrowband to the sensor. The shortwave infrared narrowband includes a peak absorption or peak reflection wavelength of moisture to infrared illumination to image moisture disposed within a solar cell array.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing a condition of a subject includes imaging an abdominal area of the subject to obtain one or more images of the abdominal area. Separation between rectus abdominis muscles in the abdominal area is located from the one or more images. Distance of the separation between the rectus abdominis muscles is quantified. The results of the quantified distance and one or more images are outputted on one or more display units.

Abstract: A method of enhancing an image includes constructing an input histogram corresponding to an input image received at a focal plane array, the input histogram representing a pixel intensity distribution corresponding to the input image and performing an analytical operation on the input histogram to produce a modified cumulative distribution, wherein the analytical operation is a function of camera temperature. The input image is transformed using the modified cumulative distribution to produce an enhanced output image corresponding to the input image, wherein at least a portion of the input image is enhanced in the output image. In addition to or in lieu of the non-linear operation, the binning edges of the input histogram can be adjusted based on at least one of camera temperature and sensitivity state to construct an adjusted cumulative distribution.

Abstract: A method of determining the composition of a polymeric body includes applying electromagnetic radiation to the polymeric body, modulating the electromagnetic radiation using a tagant disposed within a polymer composition forming the polymeric body, and receiving the modulated electromagnetic radiation from the tagant at an infrared detector. The electromagnetic radiation received from the tagant has a signature corresponding to the polymer composition forming the polymeric body. A method of making a polymeric body and system for determining composition of a polymeric body are also described.

Abstract: A method of controlling FPA system stabilization includes calculating FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature and adjusting a TEC set point to assist the FPA adjustments in attaining a predetermined level of FPA performance. Adjusting the TEC set point can include adjusting the TEC set point as a function of at least one of ambient temperature, FPA temperature, or disparity between the predetermined level of FPA performance and a level of FPA performance obtainable by calculating the FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature alone without adjusting the TEC set point.

Abstract: A laser designator pulse detector includes an InGaAs photodetector configured to convert laser signals into electrical signals. A Read Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) is operatively connected to the InGaAs photodetector to condition electrical signals from the InGaAs photodetector. The ROIC can be operatively connected to a peripheral device including one or more modules configured to process signals from the ROIC and provide pulse detection, decoding, and tracking. In another aspect, a laser designator pulse detector includes a two-dimensional array of photodetectors configured to convert laser signals into electrical signals. A ROTC as described above is operatively connected to the two-dimensional array of photodetectors.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring a pulse detection bitmap from an imaging sensor array into a digital read out integrated circuit (DROIC), filtering the pulse detection bitmap within the DROIC to convert the pulse detection bitmap into a filtered pulse detection bitmap, and determining for a given pixel in the filtered pulse detection bitmap whether the pixel has a value that exceeds a threshold, indicating a true laser pulse return has been detected in the pixel.

Abstract: A pixel output processing circuit of a focal plane array (FPA) having a plurality of laser range finding pixels (LRF) is provided. The respective LRF pixels output a high frequency analog signal in response to sensing a reflected laser pulse. The pixel output processing circuit includes a common net and a detection circuit. The common net is connected to a amplifying transistor of each of the LRF pixels for receiving analog signals output from the respective LRF pixels. The detection circuit is coupled to the common net and outputs a pulse flag in response to detecting that a high frequency analog signal has been received by the common net.

Abstract: An imaging and pulse detection pixel and an array of imaging and pulse detection pixels are provided. Each imaging and pulse detection pixel includes an optical detection device connected directly to a first and second transistor only, a pulse detection circuit that operates on the signal read out from the optical detection device and outputs a pulse detection output signal suitable for detection of pulses, and an imaging circuit that operates on a signal read out from the optical detection device and outputs an image output signal suitable for generation of an image. A terminal of the optical detection device is directly connected to only a gate terminal of the first transistor and a non-gate terminal of the second transistor.

Abstract: An imaging method includes receiving electromagnetic radiation at a focal plane array of a handheld device. The electromagnetic radiation is processed within the handheld device, and visible images are displayed on the handheld device. The displayed visible images are indicative of a scene, and include a designator and a designator identifier when a high frequency laser pulse is in the scene. The designator and designator identifier represent the high frequency pulsed electromagnetic radiation received by the focal plane array when a high frequency pulse is present in the scene.

Abstract: A digital communication interface includes a deserializer module, a gearbox module, and a parallel communication channel connecting the gearbox module to the deserializer module. The deserializer module has a fixed deserialization factor. The gearbox module has a temporal translation factor to change bit-length of words received through the parallel communication channel to bit-length suitable for a downstream data path.

Abstract: A pulse repetition frequency detector, tracker, and decoder includes a two-dimensional InGaAs FPA of photodetectors configured to convert laser signals into electrical signals. A ROIC is operatively connected to the InGaAs FPA to condition electrical signals from the InGaAs FPA. A module is operatively connected to the ROIC to decode pulsed codes in the conditioned electrical signals and to provide output for tracking decoded laser spots in two-dimensional space. In another aspect, an imaging device includes an imager with an imaging FPA operatively connected to a first ROIC for imaging. A pulse repetition frequency detector, tracker, and decoder including a second ROIC as described above, is operatively connected to the first ROIC. The first and second ROICs are operatively connected to correlate the position of decoded laser spots in images from the imaging FPA.

Abstract: A method of identifying at least one target includes receiving a series of images over time of pulsed energy reflected from the at least one target, each image including a plurality of pulses related to different first and second pulse codes, detecting the pulses in an image of the received images, and outputting pulse detection information including XY coordinates and arrival time information associated with the respective detected pulses. The method further includes associating the pulse detection information with the first and second pulse codes based on the arrival time information, and generating output position information for the at least one target in space that indicates output positions for the at least one target based on the XY coordinates and being associated with the corresponding first and second pulse codes.

Abstract: A method of imaging includes monitoring a field of view with a first imaging sensor of a multiple channel imaging system and activating a second component of the imaging system from a stand by state to an active state upon detection of a change in the field of view of the first imaging sensor. The second component can include a second imaging sensor. The second imaging sensor can have a field of view overlapping with the field of view of the first imaging sensor. The first imaging sensor can be configured for imaging in a first spectral range, wherein the second imaging sensor is configured for imaging in a second spectral range that is different from the first spectral range. The first and second spectral ranges can be overlapping or non-overlapping.

Abstract: A method of threat detection includes illuminating a scene with short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) illumination and receiving a return of the SWIR illumination reflected back from the scene. The method includes analyzing the return of the SWIR illumination to detect presence of man-made optics in the scene. Illuminating, receiving, and analyzing can be performed by a device, e.g., a rifle-mounted laser device.

Abstract: An imaging sensor includes an imaging array with a plurality of pixels. A sub-set of the pixels are marker pixels configured to each provide a constant respective output value to embed an orientation and alignment marker in images produced with the imaging array. The marker pixels can be sparsely distributed across the imaging array.

Abstract: An imaging pixel includes a photodetector for generating a charge signal, an input buffer, a control device, and a switch. The input buffer is connected to the photodetector for amplifying the charge signal. The control device is connected to the photodetector and the input buffer to separate high-frequency charge signals from low frequency charge signals. The switch is operably connected to the input buffer for sampling of high-frequency charge signals in a charge storage device triggered by amplitude of high-frequency charge signals provided by the input buffer.

Abstract: A bayonet mounting system includes an interchangeable component. The system also includes a housing having a cylindrical opening with a sealing surface on a radially inward facing surface and a frustoconical surface that tappers radially outwardly from the radially inward facing surface at the cylindrical opening. The frustoconical surface is configured to radially compress at least a portion of a resilient member during attachment of the interchangeable component to the housing. The housing also has a groove extending radially outward of at least a portion of the frustoconical surface configured to retain the interchangeable component to the housing in a bayonet latching fashion.

Abstract: A method of forming bump structures for interconnecting components includes dry etching a layer of insulating material to create a pattern for bump structures. A seed layer is deposited on the insulating material over the pattern. The seed layer is patterned with a photo resist material. The method also includes forming bump structures over the seed layer and the photo resist material with a plating material to form bump structures in the pattern, wherein the bump structures are isolated from one another.