Smart Infrared Focal Plane Arrays and Advanced Electronics

To enable detection, tracking, and temperature determination of both very faint, distant targets and very bright targets upon approach, Nu-Trek is proposing to develop a digital ROIC (DROIC) with a game changing Mixed Mode Counter architecture. This architecture offers very high resolution (18-20 bits) and dynamic range (124 dB). In comparison to analog unit cells, the DROIC integration capacitor is about1/10 the size, which scales well to small (8-15 & #61549;m) unit cells. In comparison to digital unit cells, the noisy digital electronics are outside the unit, resulting in very low ROIC noise (148 electrons). This architecture is also compatible with an emerging class of 2-speed cameras which are effective in the detection of fast moving objects, such as missiles. During Phase II Nu-Trek will design, fabricate, and test the DROIC. In Phase III the DROIC will be demonstrated with HgCdTe and SLS LWIR/LWIR detectors. The development effort targets the SM-3 Block IIB. To facilitate insertion, the DROIC will be compatible with baseline SM-3 IIB detectors. The Nu-Trek team also includes IR camera suppliers, which upon a successful technology demonstration will implement DROICs offering the Mixed Mode Counter architecture in multiple product lines.