Miniaturized small-pixel Uncooled Infrared Imager for Nano Unmanned Air Vehicles

Micro-infrared (IR) camera packages are now possible as a result of uncooled sensor performance improvements (sensitivity and time constant) in small pixel pitch (12 m). Leveraging prior investment in miniaturized uncooled infrared camera cores, digital readout circuitry and electronics design, there is an opportunity to demonstrate a digital output micro-IR camera package with direct application to nano-unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and other very compact soldier-borne situational-awareness sensor applications. Black Forest Engineering has developed micro uncooled cameras on prior SBIR efforts using 17 m pixel pitch uncooled FPA and custom ASIC camera electronics for micro-UAV applications. The proposed Phase I effort will show proof of concept of micro-IR cameras for nano-UAVs. The design will support camera core weight < 2 grams, and a packaged camera weight of 5 to 18 grams depending on optics selection. The camera will support rapid turn-on and rapid in-flight non-uniformity correction. DoD performance models will confirm the design meets the Armys system performance requirements, target detection and activity recognition as specified for the MCoE Soldier Borne Sensor. A validated sensor package design will detail sensor components and performance modeling (including size, weight and power) to asses risk and maturity of the prototype design.