Megapixel Low Light Level Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) Imager for Persistent Surveillance

Current state-of-the-art CMOS Imaging Sensor (CIS) technology has been improved dramatically over the past several years powered by a multi-billion dollar consumer market, where performance can be as equally demanding as military requirements in terms of pixel size, power and sensitivity. Fairchild Imaging has developed a 5.2 mega pixel monolithic CIS device which has shown excellent day/ low light performance coupled with low noise, high dynamic range and high frame rates. Further customization to CIS parameters makes it possible to meet the performance requirements for a very large area dawn to dusk CIS imager. There are several advantages of CIS technology for ISR applications, including large area with low power and high-speed operation, affordable cost, and system-on-chip integration. The combination of superior imaging performance and more efficient systems integration into reconnaissance payloads are significant advantages that make CIS the ideal technology for persistent surveillance.