High Speed, High Dynamic Range Near Infrared Active Imaging System

Readout integrated circuit (ROIC) designers at Nova Sensors are developing a 768 x 512 pixel “High Dynamic Range Array” (HIDRA) ROIC that is optimally matched to operate today’s high performance InGaAs near infrared (NIR) detector arrays. In addition, unlike conventional ROICs for infrared applications, it will not saturate when exposed to radiances produced by very bright targets. It incorporates a capacitive transimpedance amplifier (CTIA) input amplifier stage that produces optimized performance when used with an InGaAs photovoltaic detector array. Preliminary estimates indicate that the ROIC-contributed noise should be < 30e- when operated in its “linear” mode of operation. The extremely high speed readout structure of the device, combined with our use of the highest-performance InGaAs detector material currently available and a unique NIR illuminator source from Aerius Photonics, will produce a system that satisfies the demanding requirements of extremely high quality active imaging. This sensor system will enable photon counting and wavefront sensing applications. Nova Sensors proposes a design/trade study based on devices and electronics currently in development in other programs and on the proven performance of Aerius Photonics’ devices. The Phase 2 effort will develop/test the resulting system.