Abstract: A forest surveillance and monitoring system for the early detection and reporting of forest fires in a forest area under surveillance. The system comprises a number of remote detectors placed within the forest area and telemetrically linked to a central processing system. Each remote detector comprises an infrared sensor and video camera mounted on a remotely controllable moving platform. The remote detector also contains a weather sensor for collecting critical weather data at the remote site. Located at each remote site is a remote processor which controls all data collection, the remote processor being in communication with the central site via a remote communication subsystem and central communication system which are linked via radio. The central control site receives weather data and alarm information as well as video images from the remote detector site via the communication system.

Abstract: An infrared detector particularly well suited for the detection of heat sources, specifically from fires in an outdoor environment. The infrared detector comprises an infrared sensor receiving infrared radiation from a focused refractive optical unit. The infrared radiation from the optical unit is appropriately filtered so as to optimize the reception of infrared radiation by the detector in a frequency band of within about 2.5 to 5 microns. The sensor is configured utilizing a linear matrix of individual infrared sensing elements which may be flexibly applied to modify the field of view of the sensor. The detector contains appropriate power and signal amplification circuitry so as to provide an electrical output signal corresponding to infrared radiation received in the desired frequency band.

Abstract: Infrared proximity fuze, obtained by joining two infrared IR proximity sensors, preferably of the open field type, which have different fields of view (F.O.V.) so that the target sources presence signal is given by the simultaneous presence of an alarm signal coming from the greater field of view sensor and a time gate generated by an alarm signal coming from the lessor F.O.V. sensor. Given the carrier-to-target movement characteristics and the aperture of the two fields of view it is possible to electronically generate a time gate which rejects false targets (fires, flares, etc.) placed at considerable distances from the line of sight. The system is intrinsically protected against the effects of solar radiation combined with the nutation and precession movements of the carrier because it requires simultaneous signal presence within both fields of view.