Abstract: Several embodiments for semiconductor devices and methods for forming semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. One embodiment is directed to a method for manufacturing a microelectronic imager having a die including an image sensor, an integrated circuit electrically coupled to the image sensor, and electrical connectors electrically coupled to the integrated circuit. The method can comprise covering the electrical connectors with a radiation blocking layer and forming apertures aligned with the electrical connectors through a layer of photo-resist on the radiation blocking layer. The radiation blocking layer is not photoreactive such that it cannot be patterned using radiation. The method further includes etching openings in the radiation blocking layer through the apertures of the photo-resist layer.

Abstract: A device may determine an identity associated with a user equipment (UE) or traffic on multiple interfaces of a network by correlating identifiers associated with the UE or the traffic across the multiple interfaces. The identity may uniquely identify a subscriber associated with the UE or the traffic. The traffic may identify a set of cells, with a respective set of beams, associated with the UE. The device may determine a respective set of measurements for the respective set of beams after determining the identity. The device may determine a location of the UE based on the set of cells, the respective set of beams, and the respective set of measurements. The device may perform one or more analyses related to the UE, the set of cells, or the respective set of beams.

Abstract: A method of forming bump structures for interconnecting components includes applying an insulating layer over a device substrate, coating the insulating layer with a dielectric material layer, forming a pattern with photolithography on the dielectric material layer, etching the dielectric material layer to transfer the pattern to the insulating layer, etching the insulating layer to form pockets in the insulating layer following the pattern, applying photolithography to and etching the dielectric material layer to reduce overhang of the dielectric material layer relative to the insulating layer, removing material from top and side walls of the pockets in the insulating layer, and depositing electrically conductive bump material in the pattern so a respective bump is formed in each pocket.

Abstract: A system reducing pixel-based spatial noise for an uncooled infrared imager includes a first step of subtracting the historical scene-based NUC offsets for each selected pixel calculated from the previous frame. A filtered image for output module output is calculated using an edge preserving smoothing filter. The edge preserving smoothing function consists of a plus-shaped median kernel in which selected pixels that differ from the center pixel by greater than a specified threshold are replaced with the center pixel. The result is subtracted from the center pixel forming a high pass, edge ignoring, version of the frame which is dominated by system noise. A low pass version of the noise frame is created with a 5×5 mean filter. This is subtracted from the initial noise frame to improve scene rejection. This high pass version of the image/noise frame is attenuated by a configurable value.

Abstract: A spectral conversion element for electromagnetic radiation includes Terahertz antennas and infrared antennas which are distributed in pixel zones. The Terahertz antennas and the infrared antennas which are in one same pixel zone are thermally coupled, and those which are in different pixel zones are uncoupled. Such an element enables the capture of images which are formed with Terahertz radiation, by using an infrared image detector.

Abstract: Systems can include a test and measurement tool configured to generate measurement data, and imaging tool configured to generate image data, and a processor in communication with the imaging tool and the test and measurement tool. The processor can be configured to receive image data from the imaging tool and, if the image data satisfies one or more predetermined conditions, trigger the test and measurement tool to perform one or more corresponding operations. Similarly, the processor can receive measurement data from the test and measurement tool and, if the measurement data satisfies one or more predetermined conditions trigger the imaging tool to perform one or more corresponding operations.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a method of recognizing a biological target includes performing radar measurements for a plurality of sites on the biological target using a millimeter-wave radar sensor, producing a target data set for the plurality of sites based on the radar measurements, extracting features from the target data set, comparing the extracted features to stored features, and determining whether the extracted features match the stored features based on the comparing.

Abstract: Autonomous/self-powering image detecting systems and their manufacturing technologies are disclosed. An antenna is used to communicate signals. A first energy harvester is used to harvest energy from blackbody radiation, RF signals, movement/vibration, or combination thereof. A power management system is used which controls the energy flow to and from the energy-storage. An image sensor to take the image, a lens, and a transmitter to transmit the images to an outside device are also used in this invention. According to this preferred embodiment, an energy harvester harnessing energy from blackbody radiation from and within the body, is used to extract enough energy to increase the operation time and also to make precision of the image detecting system.

Abstract: Proactive systems for monitoring, diagnosing, and providing a plan of corrective action for Radio Frequency (RF) hardware components as part of a greater system or network in telecommunications. The system can be used for remote sites and in conjunction with current network management tools as the most prolific and fundamental piece of instrumentation in telecommunication networks. The system can be used simply as an RF development instrument for any industry requiring the use of high frequency signals. It consists of four sensor modules that are wirelessly linked to a receiver module which could be miles away. The sensors are: RF power detector, Spectrum Analyzer, Interference Cancelling Synthesizer, dual function RF power detector and spectrum analyzer. The data gathered allows the user to create a profile for specific malfunctions in the RF chain, as well as interference direction, strength and source type leading to remotely deployed solution, and a mobile network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a skin print sensor (120) comprising a plurality of elementary acquisition cells (121) which are arranged in and/or on a substrate and each of which includes: a pyroelectric conversion element (PYR) comprising first and second electrodes that are separated by a layer of pyroelectric material, the first electrode being connected to a node (GND) applying a reference potential of the sensor, and the second electrode being connected to a reading node (SN) of the cell; and a third electrode (EL) which is connected to the reading node (SN), is coated with a dielectric layer and is designed to form a capacitance along with the skin of a user.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to a method for monitoring optical power in a HAMR device. In one embodiment, the method includes enhancing a thermal sensor bandwidth through advanced electrical detection techniques. The advanced electrical detection techniques include obtaining calibration waveform data for a thermal sensor by calibrating the thermal sensor, obtaining real-time waveform data for the thermal sensor that may deviate from the calibration waveform data, updating the calibration waveform data to include the real-time waveform data, repeating obtaining real-time waveform data and updating the calibration waveform data during writing operations. By updating the calibration waveform data, the bandwidth of the thermal sensor is determined by a fixed sampling time interval, and the thermal sensor rise time to steady state would not be a limitation to its response time.

Abstract: The fact that a beam-deflecting device can be produced cost-effectively and without any losses of optical quality of the multi-aperture imaging device is used when a carrier substrate is provided for the same, wherein the carrier substrate is common to the plurality of optical channels and is installed with a setting angle, i.e. oblique with respect to the image sensor in the multi-aperture imaging device such that a deflection angle of deflecting the optical path of each optical channel is based, on the one hand, on the setting angle and, on the other hand, on an individual inclination angle with respect to the carrier substrate of a reflecting facet of a surface of the beam-deflecting device facing the image sensor, the reflecting facet being allocated to the optical channel.

Abstract: Active-gated imaging system and method for imaging environment with at least one high-intensity source. A light source emits light pulses toward the environment, and an image sensor with a pixelated sensor array receives reflected pulses from a selected depth of field and generates a main image. The image sensor exposure mechanism includes a pixelated transfer gate synchronized with the emitted pulses. An image processor identifies oversaturated image portions of the main image resulting from a respective high-intensity source, and interprets the oversaturated image portions using supplementary image information acquired by image sensor.

Abstract: A holding apparatus is disclosed for holding a drive unit of a deviating mirror arrangement of an optical detection apparatus for a motor vehicle. The holding apparatus includes a holding part, with which a light barrier is formed in one piece, the light barrier being arranged. When the drive unit is being held by the holding apparatus, to subdivide a reflective surface of at least one deviating mirror, mounted rotatably on a rotation axle, of the deviating mirror arrangement into an emission region and a reception region locally on the reflective surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for Real-time Satellite Imaging System (10) are disclosed. More particularly, one embodiment of the present invention an imaging sensor (14) on a geostationary satellite having one or more co-collimated telescopes (18). The telescopes (18) illuminate focal planes (22) which are sparsely populated with focal plane arrays (24). The focal plane arrays (24) record the entire observable Earth hemisphere at one time, at least once every ten seconds, or more often.

Abstract: A processor comprises instructions to adjust a bias of an input signal in order to decrease a duty cycle of a pulse modulated optical signal. The bias can be increased, decreased, or maintained in response to one or more measured values of the signal. In many embodiments, a gain of the signal is adjusted with the bias in order to inhibit distortion. The bias can be adjusted slowly in order to inhibit audible noise, and the gain can be adjusted faster than the bias in order to inhibit clipping of the signal. In many embodiments, one or more of the bias or the gain is adjusted in response to a value of the signal traversing a threshold amount. The value may comprise a trough of the signal traversing the threshold.

Abstract: A noise data update processing unit calculates the amount of a fixed pattern noise component on the basis of a detection signal of infrared rays detected by an infrared detector in a state where an optical system is controlled to be in a non-focused state, and updates an FPN data storage unit with the calculated amount of the FPN component. The noise data update processing unit calculates an average value of detection signals of each detector element and a plurality of peripheral detector elements, and calculates a signal component dependent on incident infrared rays included in the detection signal of each detector element by subtracting an average value of fixed pattern noise data before update from the calculated average value. The amount of the fixed pattern noise component is calculated by subtracting the calculated signal component from the detection signal of each detector element.

Abstract: A mobile device and a method for estimation of direction of motion of a user are described. The mobile device comprises an inertial sensor to capture acceleration signals based on motion of the user and a direction estimation module. The direction estimation module determines direction of gravity based on filtering acceleration values obtained from captured the acceleration signals using a low-pass filter to identify a plane orthogonal to the direction of gravity. The plane orthogonal to the gravity comprises two orthogonal axes orthogonal to the direction of gravity. Further, displacement values are evaluated based on a user input for placement of the mobile device with respect to user's body, and integration of the acceleration values across the two orthogonal axes with respect to time. A direction of motion of the user is estimated based on a ratio of the displacement values along the two orthogonal axes.

Abstract: A thermal pattern sensor is provided, including a matrix of several lines and columns of pixels, each pixel including at least one pyroelectric capacitance formed by at least one portion of pyroelectric material arranged between a lower electrode and an upper electrode; wherein one of the lower and upper electrodes forms a reading electrode of the pixels; and a plurality of electrically conductive portions, each being configured for Joule effect heating, independently of other portions of the plurality, of the at least one portion of pyroelectric material of the at least one pyroelectric capacitance of pixels of at least two adjacent lines of pixels associated with the each electrically conductive portion, and each being arranged facing at least a part of a surface of the reading electrode of each of the pixels of the at least two adjacent lines of pixels associated with the each electrically conductive portion.

Abstract: There is provided a method of capturing a thermal pattern by a sensor including a matrix of several rows and columns of pixels, and heating elements, each heating element associated with at least one pixel, and configured to heat a heat sensitive measurement element for measurement of the pixel independently of other heating elements during reading of the pixel, the method including, during a reading of at least one first pixel, the heat sensitive measurement element of the at least one first pixel is heated by a heating element associated with the at least one first pixel, and also during the reading, the heat sensitive measurement element of at least one second pixel is heated by at least one other heating element associated with the at least one second pixel, the at least one second pixel being read before or after the reading of the at least one first pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat sinking a camera module, which may be used in an automotive camera, which includes but is not limited to automotive rear-view cameras, is described herein. Heating conductors and heat conductive pads may be arranged in a parallel orientation within the housing of the camera module to dissipate heat produced by the printed circuit boards (PCBs) and other components within. The heat conducting pads may conduct heat away from the PCB or component being cooled and into the heat sink, which may be a heat conducting material including but not limited to aluminum, aluminum alloys, or copper. The heating pads may also fill the air gaps within the housing of the camera module.

Abstract: An imager utilizes a division of focal plane polarization and color camera to measure motion, depth and orientation of objects in a scene in real-time. In various examples, structured light, polarization-controlled discrete reflectors, and/or spatially varying discrete light sources are used to provide light of controlled polarization and color from an object in a scene to a camera. The camera utilizes a pixelated optical filter with a pattern of varying polarization filters across the pixel array, and optionally an integrated color filter pattern. Light measurements are processed to determine polarization state of light received from the object, whence orientation, position, and/or other properties of the object are determined. Systems are operable with a single camera. Applications include virtual reality, gaming, robotics, autonomous vehicles, tele-surgery, industrial automation, 3-D scanning, surveillance, and remote interaction.

Abstract: The system and method of sensor imager and laser alignment. The system utilizes a DLP mirror array with a compact collimator to provide a real time, direct mapping of the laser energy from a LRF onto an imager (e.g., visible, SWIR, LWIR, or the like) by using a back scatter approach. This method eliminates the thermal and vibration/shock optical alignment issues by using a relative measurement approach significantly reducing the size, weight, and cost of the alignment system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a network of moving things. As non-limiting examples, various aspects of this disclosure provide configurable systems and methods for monitoring various operational characteristics of a network of moving things, determining a reporting strategy for the monitored characteristics, and/or implementing the determined reporting strategy.

Abstract: Various examples are directed to a variable speed comparator circuit comprising a first comparator, a second comparator, and a third comparator and a logic circuit. The first comparator may be configured to generate a first comparator output using a first input and a second input. The second comparator may be configured to generate a second comparator output using the first input and the second input. The third comparator may be configured to generate a third comparator output using the first input and the second input. A propagation delay of the second comparator may be less than a propagation delay of the first comparator. Also, a propagation delay of the third comparator may be less than the propagation delay of the second comparator. The second comparator may have an input offset relative to the third comparator.

Abstract: A mid-wave infrared system provides high spatial and temporal resolution measurements of atmospheric temperatures and moisture fields using a constellation of low earth orbit satellites. The disclosed system is smaller, lighter, less complex, and requires less energy than existing systems, due to implementation of an infrared avalanche photodiode array detector that provides enhanced sensitivity with reduced cooling requirements, and an Offner spectrometer having a novel a refractive element inserted near the grating that reduces the size and power requirements of the spectrometer. Embodiments of the disclosed method include deploying a constellation of devices for cooperative infrared sensing of atmospheric phenomena at similar rates, lower cost, and much higher resolution compared to geosynchronous approaches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radiation detector, in particular a direct conversion radiation detector. To provide for simple distribution of provided high voltage the radiation detector comprises a plurality of detector modules (10, 20) arranged adjacent to each other. Each detector module comprises a sensor layer (14, 24) for converting incident radiation (100) into electrical charges, a first electrode (15, 25) deposited on a first surface of the sensor layer facing the incident radiation (100), a second electrode (16, 26) deposited on a second surface of the sensor layer opposite the first surface, a readout electronics (12, 22) in electrical contact with the second electrode, and a carrier (13, 23) for carrying the sensor layer and the readout electronics.

Abstract: Aspects are generally directed to an alignment assembly and method for aligning a multi-spectral optical system. In one example, an alignment assembly includes an illumination source configured to emit illumination in a first spectral band, and a first plate having a plurality of apertures formed in a reflective surface thereof. The reflective surface of the first plate is disposed to reflect the illumination emitted by the illumination source. The alignment assembly may also include a second plate positioned proximate to the first plate and spaced apart from the first plate to define a gap between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate being interposed between the second plate and the illumination source, and a heating element coupled to the second plate and configured to heat the second plate to emit thermal infrared radiation, from the second plate, in a second spectral band.

Abstract: This infrared ray detection element has a diode part that includes serially connected first and second p-n junction diodes. The diode part has: n-type and p-type first regions in a well shape that are adjacent to each other; a p-type second region that constitutes a first p-n junction diode with the n-type first region; and an n-type second region that constitutes a second p-n junction diode with the p-type first region. The n-type and p-type first regions are respectively provided with n-type and p-type third regions that electrically connect the first p-n junction diode and the second p-n junction diode via a conductive material. The n-type first region has a p-type fourth region provided between the p-type first region and the p-type second region. The p-type first region has an n-type fourth region provided between the n-type first region and the n-type second region.

Abstract: A signal component amount calculation unit calculates dispersion or standard deviation of multiple times of infrared detection signals detected by each detector element to be processed, and calculates the amount of a signal component dependent on infrared rays incident on the infrared detector included in the infrared detection signals, on the basis of the calculated dispersion or standard deviation. A fixed pattern noise calculation unit calculates the amount of a fixed pattern noise component on the basis of the infrared detection signals and the calculated amount of a signal component. A data update unit updates the fixed pattern noise data with the calculated amount of a fixed pattern noise component.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing. The apparatus includes a radiation detection sensor including a plurality of micromechanical radiation sensing pixels having a reflecting top surface and configured to deflect light incident on the reflective surface as a function of an intensity of sensed radiation. In some implementations, the apparatus has equal sensitivities for at least some of the sensing pixels. In some implementations, the apparatus can provide adjustable sensitivity and measurement range. The apparatus can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.

Abstract: Provided are an infrared imaging device and a signal correction method using the infrared imaging device capable of reducing noise due to a variation of pixel signals of an infrared image even in a case where the variation of the pixel signals of the infrared image is changed. An infrared imaging device includes an optical system, a detection unit that includes an effective pixel portion in which effective pixels that are infrared detection elements are arranged in a matrix form in an effective region onto which infrared rays from the optical system are incident and a reference pixel portion in which a plurality of reference pixels that are the infrared detection elements are arranged in a reference region onto which the infrared rays from the optical system are not incident, and is positioned on an imaging surface of the optical system; and a signal correction unit that performs a correction process with respect to a pixel signal detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying imagery on a Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system are provided. In one example embodiment, a method includes determining, by the one or more computing devices, a rotational frequency of a LIDAR device located on a vehicle. The method includes illuminating, by the one or more computing devices, one or more of a plurality of light emitting elements coupled to the LIDAR device based at least in part on the rotational frequency of the LIDAR device and the one or more images for display.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) filter arrangement for a camera having an associated IR illuminator, the arrangement comprising: a fixedly arranged bandpass IR filter filtering out IR frequencies other than those from the IR illuminator; and an IR cut filter at least blocking any IR wavelength transmitted by the fixed band-pass filter, the IR filter being integrated in a diaphragm of the camera, such that closing of the diaphragm aperture entails an increased relative proportion of the diaphragm aperture being covered by the IR cut filter, and opening of the diaphragm aperture entails a decreased relative proportion of the diaphragm aperture being covered by the IR cut filter.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an exposure apparatus performs exposure to transcribe a circuit pattern onto each of a plurality of sections on a wafer. The exposure apparatus includes a measurement device and a control device. The control device sets, on each of a first section and a second section adjacent to each other among the plurality of sections, a measurement point at a position offset from a reference position of each section. The control device causes the measurement device to measure surface information at each measurement point. The control device executes focus leveling control for exposure on the basis of the surface information measured at each measurement point.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a thermal pile sensing structure integrated with one or more capacitors, which includes: a substrate, an infrared sensing unit and a partition structure. The infrared sensing unit includes a first and a second sensing structure. A hot junction is formed between the first and the second sensing structures at a location where the first and the second sensing structures are close to each other. A cold junction is formed between the partition structure and the first sensing structure at a location where these two structures are close to each other. Another cold junction is formed between the partition structure and the second sensing structure at a location where these two structures are close to each other. A temperature difference between the hot junction and the cold junction generates a voltage difference signal. Apart of the partition structure forms at least one capacitor.

Abstract: A heat generation point detection method comprises steps S01, S02 of applying a low frequency bias voltage to an integrated circuit S and acquiring a heat generation detection signal detected from the integrated circuit S in response thereto, steps S03, S04 of supplying a high frequency bias voltage to the integrated circuit S and acquiring a heat generation detection signal detected from the integrated circuit S in response thereto, steps S05 to S07 of detecting a phase shift between the low frequency bias voltage and the heat generation detection signal and a phase shift between the high frequency bias voltage and the heat generation detection signal, and a step S08 of calculating a change rate of the phase shift against a square root of the frequency of the bias voltage, based on those phase shifts, and acquiring depth information of a heat generation point from the change rate.

Abstract: Provided are an image composition apparatus for composing color images with black-and-white images including infrared components, and an image composition method thereof. The image composition method includes generating a first image signal with color information and a second image signal including infrared components without color information, dividing the first image signal into a brightness signal and a color signal, composing the brightness signal of the first image signal with a brightness signal of the second image signal to generate a composed brightness signal, and composing the composed brightness signal with the color signal of the first image signal to generate a color image.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium are provided for monitoring a signal source. The illustrative method includes receiving an analog signal from the signal source, converting the analog signal into a digital signal having a frequency that is representative of an amplitude of the analog signal, and monitoring at least one parameter of the analog signal by counting features of the digital signal or time-measuring a distance between the features of the digital signal.

Abstract: A transceiver for use in a lidar system includes an optical receiver and a transmitter. The optical receiver includes a circuit board including a detector, a cylindrical inner housing, a C-shaped outer housing that partially surrounds the inner housing, and a lens in the outer housing. The transmitter includes an optical fiber coupled to a light source and a collimator, and a pair of Risley prism rods for adjusting collimator alignment. The collimator and Risley rods sit in a groove formed by the inner housing and the outer housing. A lidar system using the transceiver and a transceiver assembly method are disclosed.

Abstract: A multi-beam metrology system includes an illumination source configured to generate a beam array, an illumination sub-system to direct the beam array to a sample at an array of measurement locations, an imaging sub-system to image the array of measurement locations as an array of imaged spots in a detection plane, and a detection assembly to generate detection signal channels associated with each of the imaged spots. The detection assembly includes an array of detection elements configured to receive the imaged spots with separate detection elements, and one or more position detectors to measure positions of the imaged spots in the detection plane. The detection assembly further generates feedback signals for the imaging sub-system based on the measured positions of the imaged spots to adjust the positions of one or more of the imaged spots in the detection plane to maintain alignment of the array of detection elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing spectral imaging (SI) data. A training operation estimates reconstruction matrices based on a spectral mosaic of an SI sensor, generates directionally interpolated maximum a-priori (MAP) estimations of image data based on the estimated reconstruction matrices. The training operation may determine filter coefficients for each of a number of cross-band interpolation filters based at least in part on the MAP estimations, and may determine edge classification factors based at least in part on the determined filter coefficients. The training operation may configure a cross-band interpolation circuit based at least in part on the determined filter coefficients and the determined edge classification factors. The configured cross-band interpolation circuit captures mosaic data using the SI sensor, and recovers full-resolution spectral data from the captured mosaic data.

Abstract: Full-color images of low-light scenes are generated by the systems and methods described herein using only two light channels. An array of photosensitive pixels includes two sets of pixels, the first sensitive only to light associated with a first light channel, the second only to light associated with a second light channel. Thus the first set of pixels generate a first set of electrical signals in response to incident light within the first light channel, and the second set of pixels generate a second set of electrical signals in response to incident light within the second light channel. An image processor receives the first and second sets of electrical signals and generates a full-color image of the scene by processing only signals generated by the first and second sets of pixels.

Abstract: The subject disclosure is directed towards an image sensor that is controllable curved to adapt for differences in lens focal lengths. Variable data such as focal length data, measured curvature data and/or image quality data is received at a curve controller that curves the sensor based upon the variable data. In one aspect, a camera is provided with a lens having a variable focal length and a sensor capable of being dynamically curved. A curve controller receives image quality data and iteratively uses the image quality data to adjust the curvature to attempt to increase the image quality of a subsequent image to be captured.

Abstract: A sensing element integrated in a semiconductor material chip has a sensing diode of a junction type configured to be reverse biased so that its junction capacitance is sensitive to the local temperature. A reading stage is coupled to the sensing element for detecting variations of the junction capacitance of the sensing diode and outputting a reading acquisition signal proportional to the local temperature of the sensing diode. The sensing diode has a cathode terminal coupled to a biasing node and an anode terminal coupled to a first input of the reading stage. The biasing node receives a voltage positive with respect to the first input of the reading stage for keeping the sensing diode reverse biased.

Abstract: Embodiments include an optical system comprising a plurality of powered optical elements, arranged within a same optical path, configured to simultaneously pass and focus therethrough mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectral bands to a focal plane array (FPA) and provide simultaneous correction of monochromatic and chromatic aberrations over the MWIR and LWIR spectral bands with a low f-theta distortion. The plurality of powered optical elements comprises a first set of powered lenses having a passive athermalized response over fluctuating temperatures in a variable temperature environment; and a second set of powered lenses to operate in a constant cryogenically cooled environment. A method and a situational-awareness device are also disclosed.

Abstract: An infrared sensor forming an infrared solid-state imaging device includes a sensor element portion disposed in a package. In the sensor element portion, an absorption structure supported on a substrate is provided. The absorption structure has a structure in which a second insulating film, an absorption film, and a first insulating film are stacked on a reflective film. The first insulating film and the second insulating film are formed so as to have a film thickness with which the index of absorption of infrared radiation entering the absorption structure is maximized with consideration given to the energy loss in an optical transmission path to the absorption structure.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a MEMS double-layer suspension microstructure comprises steps of: forming a first film body on a substrate, and a cantilever beam connected to the substrate and the first film body; forming a sacrificial layer on the first film body and the cantilever beam; patterning the sacrificial layer located on the first film body to manufacture a recessed portion used for forming a support structure, the bottom of the recessed portion being exposed of the first film body; depositing a dielectric layer on the sacrificial layer; patterning the dielectric layer to manufacture a second film body and the support structure, the support structure being connected to the first film body and the second film body; and removing the sacrificial layer to obtain the MEMS double-layer suspension microstructure.

Abstract: A dual band infrared imaging system self-contained to fit within a small spacecraft is provided. The imaging system uses a detector array cooled by a mini cryocooler, and includes telescope optics and two bandpass filters for fire detection and thermal and evapotranspiration Earth science.

Abstract: A collision mitigation system is proposed which makes use of forward mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to identify obstacles and to predict unavoidable collisions therewith, and a duplex radio link in communication with secondary vehicles, and a number of external airbags deployable under the control of an airbag control unit, to reduce the forces of impact on the host vehicle, secondary vehicles, and bipeds and quadrupeds wandering into the roadway. A suspension modification system makes use of headlight mounted long range ladar sensors and short range ladar sensors mounted in auxiliary lamps to characterize the road surface, identify road hazards, and make adaptations to a number of active suspension components, each with the ability to absorb shock, elevate or lower the vehicle, and adjust the spring rate of the individual wheel suspensions.