Abstract: According to one aspect, a Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) with integrated Compressive Sampling (CS) is provided. The ROIC includes an input to couple to a photodetector array including a plurality of photodetectors and is configured to generate compressed image data by sampling and summing the values of the plurality of photodetectors consistent with a set of Compressive Sampling Measurement Matrices and provide the resulting coded aggregates to a signal processor as compressed image data.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) with integrated Compressive Sampling (CS) is provided. The ROIC includes an input to couple to a photodetector array including a plurality of photodetectors and is configured to generate compressed image data by sampling and summing the values of the plurality of photodetectors consistent with a set of Compressive Sampling Measurement Matrices and provide the resulting coded aggregates to a signal processor as compressed image data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imaging system includes a processing system and a display generator. The processing system is operable to process a signal received from a camera to yield foveal data for a foveal display region and outer data for an outer display region. The outer data have a reduced pixel density with respect to the pixel density of the foveal data. The display generator is operable to generate the foveal display region from the foveal data according to a 1:n mapping ratio, and generate the outer display region from the outer data according to a 1:m mapping ratio, where m is greater than n.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for viewing an area includes a dewar and an optical system positioned within the dewar. The dewar permits operation of the flux detector at cryogenic temperatures, in some embodiments. The optical system includes an infrared radiation system capable of focusing one or more light beams. The inclusion of the optical system within the cryogenic space of the dewar allows reduction of the overall system length and weight, if desired.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for viewing an area includes a dewar and an optical system positioned within the dewar. The dewar permits operation of the flux detector at cryogenic temperatures, in some embodiments. The optical system includes an infrared radiation system capable of focusing one or more light beams. The inclusion of the optical system within the cryogenic space of the dewar allows reduction of the overall system length and weight, if desired.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for viewing an area includes a dewar and an optical system positioned within the dewar. The dewar permits operation of the flux detector at cryogenic temperatures, in some embodiments. The optical system includes an infrared radiation system capable of focusing one or more light beams. The inclusion of the optical system within the cryogenic space of the dewar allows reduction of the overall system length and weight, if desired.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for viewing an area includes a dewar and an optical system positioned within the dewar. The dewar permits operation of the flux detector at cryogenic temperatures, in some embodiments. The optical system includes an infrared radiation system capable of focusing one or more light beams. The inclusion of the optical system within the cryogenic space of the dewar allows reduction of the overall system length and weight, if desired.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an imaging system includes a processing system and a display generator. The processing system is operable to process a signal received from a camera to yield foveal data for a foveal display region and outer data for an outer display region. The outer data have a reduced pixel density with respect to the pixel density of the foveal data. The display generator is operable to generate the foveal display region from the foveal data according to a 1:n mapping ratio, and generate the outer display region from the outer data according to a 1:m mapping ratio, where m is greater than n.

Abstract: A method uses an infrared imaging system to produce an image of a scene. Actual infrared radiation from the scene is detected to form a biased signal representing the radiances of objects wiithin the scene, and the biased signal is diffracted by causing rays of the radiation to pass through an array of lenslets at angles devitated from their normal path. The array includes an infrared transmissive deformable film which retains a pattern stamped into it, the pattern including a plurality of the diffracting lenslets. The diffracted and defocused radiation is detected to form a reference signal, the reference signal is subtracted from the biased signal to obtain an unbiased signal, and an image is generated and displayed in reponse to the unbiased signal.

Abstract: A chopper and method of making same, the chopper being fabricated by initially generating a photomask in conjunction with software. The software provides the lens design to be finally stamped onto the chopper element. A silicon wafer is then etched by reactive ion etching using the photomask to provide the pattern and resulting in a silicon wafer master of the chopper pattern with regions in the shape of lenslets to be formed of desired dimension. The chopper pattern on the silicon wafer is then replicated with a hard material which can be easily stripped from the silicon wafer without damaging either the wafer or the hard material, preferably deposited nickel. The separated nickel replication is then used in conjunction with a heavy press to stamp out sheets of an infrared transmissive flexible film, preferably polyethylene, with the lens pattern in the replication. The film with the lens pattern thereon is the chopper element.

Abstract: A chopper and method of making same, the chopper being fabricated by initially generating a photomask in conjunction with software. The software provides the lens design to be finally stamped onto the chopper element. A silicon wafer is then etched by reactive ion etching using the photomask to provide the pattern and resulting in a silicon wafer master of the chopper pattern with regions in the shape oflenslets to be formed of desired dimension. The chopper pattern on the silicon wafer is then replicated with a hard material which can be easily stripped from the silicon wafer without damaging either the wafer or the hard material, preferably deposited nickel. The separated nickel replication is then used in conjunction with a heavy press to stamp out sheets of an infrared transmissive flexible film, preferably polyethylene, with the lens pattern in the replication The film with the lens pattern thereon is the chopper element. The system is designed to operate in the 8 to 13.5 micron range.

Abstract: Methods of calculating gain correction values and offset correction values for detector elements of an infrared detector array. The methods can be adapted for one-dimensional scanning arrays or for two-dimensional staring arrays. (FIGS. 3 and 6). The array is mechanically dithered so that two or more neighboring detector elements of the array look at the same location of a scene. (FIG. 3, Step 302; FIG. 6, Step 601). Then, the fields of pixel data are processed to calculate a gain correction value and an offset correction value for each detector element. (FIG. 3, Steps 305, 309, and 311; FIG. 6, Steps 603, 607, and 611). For each detector element, its gain error and its offset error are calculated from local averages, with the local average for a particular detector element including a term for that detector element as well as terms for its neighboring detector elements.

Abstract: A dual field of view catadioptric optical system is disclosed which includes a narrow field of view (FOV) and a wide FOV. The narrow field of view includes an apertured stationary primary reflector and a secondary reflector which may be pivoted into a common optical path for blocking radiant energy for the wide field of view during operation in the narrow field of view and pivoted out of the common optical path for operation in the wide field of view. In another embodiment, the secondary reflector is replaced by a transparent/reflector which is always located in the common optical path. The element is transparent to radiant energy until heated at which time it becomes reflective. Thus, when transparent, the system operates in the wide field of view mode and when reflective, the system operates in the narrow field of view mode.

Abstract: A bifunctional sensor is disclosed for an optical seeking system which utzes a single focussing lens arrangement for focussing light of two distinct wavelength ranges. A first detector for detecting light of the first wavelength range is provided nearest the lens system and transmits light of the second wavelength range. A second detector for detecting light of the second wavelength range is provided behind the first detector with a modulating apparatus for modulating the light of the second wavelength range before it reaches the second detector.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed for use with a radiant energy receiver which provides high cold shield efficiency and is compact; further the optical system is temperature tolerant to maintain focus with changes in temperature and wavelength without operator intervention. The optical system has primary utility in the infrared region of the spectrum and where a two dimensional array of detectors senses the infrared radiant energy or flux from the scene of interest. The optical system is comprised of a window for environmental protection and two objective mirrors for folding and focusing the scene of interest on a first focal plane.