2K x 2K Dual Band Focal Plane Array Development for Advanced Interceptor IRSTS Applications

Nova Sensors proposes the development of a new 2K x 2K dual-band readout integrated circuit (ROIC) that will be specifically tailored for use in MDA Infrared Search and Track System (IRSTS) applications. We propose incorporation of on-FPA features that streamline the use of dual-band focal plane array (FPA) data for missile detection, tracking and spectral discrimination applications. In cooperation with our STTR technology partner at JHU/APL and our project partners at QmagiQ Inc. and Cyan Systems, Nova will produce a preliminary design for this dual band ROIC in the Phase I effort. The ROIC will also accommodate use of other detector materials, but superior uniformity and “bandgap engineered” features of QmagiQ’s multiple quantum well (QWIP) material will be an important element of the proposed effort. APL has already invested research efforts in development of on-FPA processing techniques involving nonuniformity correction and bandwidth reduction that are directly applicable to wide field of view, large format IRSTS sensors. A variety of advanced on-FPA processing operations are proposed that will help to optimize the implementation of such very large format dual band FPAs for IRSTS; these include on-FPA spectral differencing and ratioing operations, event-driven automatic foveation as well as on-chip analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion.