Methodologies for Developing Extremely Large IR Scene Projectors

This program combines new optical innovations and advanced focalplane assembly techniques to produce an extremely large format, high performing and cost effective IR scene projector. The concept utilizes several small high performance, high yield emitter arrays in a modular format. Advanced optics design concepts are used to optically stitch the separate arrays into a single seamless focalplane. New interconnect technologies are implemented to provide large scale digital data input to the emitter array with a reduced number of wirebond interconnects. In Phase 1 OCS develops a modular emitter FPA format. This approach is compatible with many advanced emitter pixel architectures currently in production or development. Optics analysis and design will proceed during Phase I and a preliminary system demonstrated in the Phase I Option. Optically stitching small high yielding arrays promises to provide major performance, cost and risk benefits over other emitter FPA approaches.