Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC) for High-Rate Tracking of Energetic Threats

ABSTRACT: Voxtel"s proposes the development of a High Energy Event Tracking (HEET) readout integrated circuit (ROIC), optimized for the identification and tracking of high energy events within a large format staring infrared sensor. Working with the AFRL program office, in Phase I, Voxtel has developed a novel ROIC architecture that simultaneously provides the system with standard video imaging data, temporally resolved pixel flagging, and high dynamic range temporal profiling of high energy events within the field-of view. The ability of the HEET-ROIC design to perform temporally resolved flagging of high energy events, using in-pixel discrimination, enables the system to identify and set a region-of-interest around the pixel of interest within several microseconds of the rising edge of the event This fast response time, coupled with the fast temporal sampling of the ROI window (>15 kHz), allows for proper system identification of the high energy threat with minimal system processing time. The Phase II work plan includes the design, fabrication, and electrical evaluation of the full-format (640 x 512) HEET-ROIC design. Following electrical evaluation, the HEET-ROIC will be optically demonstrated through hybridization to a compatible infrared detector array. BENEFIT: The transient event capability added to the staring, imaging mode of an ROIC has widespread application. Applications including threat warning systems for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. Other applications include active (ladar)/passive imaging, tracking, surveillance, and charged particle detection. Other applications include medical sensors and vertex detectors for use in high-energy physics.