Dual Gain Gating Imaging Sensor

To address the Navy need for an inexpensive dual-well focal plane array (FPA) imaging sensor that can provide “see-spot” capability for a micropulse laser designator, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Dual Gain Gating (DuGG) imaging sensor. The proposed system is based on novel gain gating scheme utilizing microchannel amplifier, which will allow detection of low energy laser pulses from a micropulse laser designator. This new design of the dual-well imaging optical scheme will allow simultaneous imaging of weak designating laser spot and the regular background image. As a result, the DuGG system will be an enabling factor allowing low-cost fabrication of lightweight, low-power, and covert laser rangefinders/designators for use by foot soldiers, which directly address the PUMA FNC program needs to develop compact laser rangefinders. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of the DuGG system by developing system design, specifying its key parameters, estimating costs, and building a proof-of-concept prototype. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a fully functional prototype of the DuGG system, demonstrate its functionality in a realistic environment, and conduct testing with a laser designator system.