Abstract: A focal plan array system of the bolometer type having means for determining the rate of non-uniformity which comprises: (a) an array of i×j pixel detectors of the bolometer type for sensing scenery radiation; (b) a case which accommodates said array of detectors, said case having a front window that provides exposure to the sensing element of all the i×j pixel detectors to radiation coming from the scenery; (c) at least a portion of column j+1 of blind detectors that are shielded from the scenery by a homogeneous reference surface; (d) reading circuitry for reading indication for the scenery radiation as sensed by each of the i×j detectors of the array, and for reading indication for the non uniformity as sensed by said detectors in column (j+1); (e) a register for recording the radiation values as read from all the detectors within column (j+1); and (f) a processing unit for finding the standard deviation ? of all the values in said register, and for comparing the same to a predetermined threshold Q, wherei

Abstract: A focal plan array system of the bolometer type which comprises: (a) an array of i×j pixel detectors of the bolometer type for sensing scenery radiation; (b) a case which accommodates said array of detectors, said case having a front window that provides exposure to the sensing element of all the i×j pixel detectors to radiation coming from the scenery; (c) at least one blind detector of the bolometer type within the case in a column j+1 for sensing case radiation, the sensing elements of said at least one detector are irradiated by one or more reference surfaces whose radiation is proportional to the case radiation; (d) reading circuitry for reading indication for the scenery radiation as sensed by each of the i×j detectors of the array, and for reading indication for the case radiation as sensed by said at least one blind detector; and (e) compensation circuitry for compensating each of said scenery radiation indications of each detector for the effects resulted from the case radiation, based on the case ra

Abstract: A focal plan array system of the bolometer type which comprises: (a) an array of i×j pixel detectors of the bolometer type for sensing scenery radiation; (b) a case which accommodates said array of detectors, said case having a front window that provides exposure to the sensing element of all the i×j pixel detectors to radiation coming from the scenery; (c) at least one blind detector of the bolometer type within the case in a column j+1 for sensing case radiation, the sensing elements of said at least one detector are irradiated by one or more reference surfaces whose radiation is proportional to the case radiation; (d) reading circuitry for reading indication for the scenery radiation as sensed by each of the i×j detectors of the array, and for reading indication for the case radiation as sensed by said at least one blind detector; and (e) compensation circuitry for compensating each of said scenery radiation indications of each detector for the effects resulted from the case radiation, based on the case ra

Abstract: A focal plan array system of the bolometer type having means for determining the rate of non-uniformity which comprises: (a) an array of i×j pixel detectors of the bolometer type for sensing scenery radiation; (b) a case which accommodates said array of detectors, said case having a front window that provides exposure to the sensing element of all the i×j pixel detectors to radiation coming from the scenery; (c) at least a portion of column j+1 of blind detectors that are shielded from the scenery by a homogeneous reference surface; (d) reading circuitry for reading indication for the scenery radiation as sensed by each of the i×j detectors of the array, and for reading indication for the non uniformity as sensed by said detectors in column (j+1); (e) a register for recording the radiation values as read from all the detectors within column (j+1); and (f) a processing unit for finding the standard deviation a of all the values in said register, and for comparing the same to a predetermined threshold Q, wherei

Abstract: A focal plane array detector in a sensor for IR imaging. Pixel readout and analog to digital conversion is performed in an integrated circuit which includes the imaging array. The charge of each pixel is accumulated in a capacitor (16) and a digital to analog charge converter cancels this charge. A controller controls this charge converter providing the appropriate amount of charge. An analog to digital converter incorporating a comparator (92) switches the controller on/off. In some embodiment a programmable device external to the sensor participates in the control of the analog to digital converter. In a typical embodiment of the invention a cycle generator controls the charge output of the digital to analog converter. In a preferred embodiment the analog to digital converters are grouped wherein all such converters group operate simultaneously.

Abstract: A focal plane array detector in a sensor for IR imaging. Pixel readout and analog to digital conversion is performed in an integrated circuit which includes the imaging array. The charge of each pixel is accumulated in a capacitor (16) and a digital to analog charge converter cancels this charge. A controller controls this charge converter providing the appropriate amount of charge. An analog to digital converter incorporating a comparator (92) switches the controller on/off. In some embodiment a programmable device external to the sensor participates in the control of the analog to digital converter. In a typical embodiment of the invention a cycle generator controls the charge output of the digital to analog converter. In a preferred embodiment the analog to digital converters are grouped wherein all such converters group operate simultaneously.

Abstract: A focal plane array detector in a sensor for IR imaging. Pixel readout and analog to digital conversion is performed in an integrated circuit which includes the imaging array. The charge of each pixel is accumulated in a capacitor and a digital to analog charge converter cancels this charge. A controller controls this charge converter providing the appropriate amount of charge. An analog to digital converter incorporating a comparator switches the controller on/off. In some embodiment a programmable device external to the sensor participates in the control of the analog to digital converter. In a typical embodiment of the invention a cycle generator controls the charge output of the digital to analog converter. In a preferred embodiment the analog to digital converters are grouped wherein all such converters group operate simultaneously.