Highly Scalable Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC) with Thermal Image Processor Chip to Support the 12um SXGA Microbolometer on Glass Development Effort

Obsidian Sensors' microbolometers on glass technology is a proven platform that combines a highly scalable focal plane solution with an unmatched manufacturing solution that addresses the cost and scale barrier that has prevented wider adoption across the dual-use landscape. The adoption of a new substrate with a low-cost flat panel glass manufacturing infrastructure has led to the introduction of a VGA class uncooled microbolometer product that is already being shipped to both commercial and defense customers.  Obsidian’s focal plane architecture is distinct from conventional approaches with performance, yield, scalability advantages that result from two distinct components combined at the backend packaging phase: a glass sensor panel that comprises the pixel array with integrated backplane and a CMOS chip that implements the readout function.  Our use of the term ROIC refers to this limited sense whereas the conventional ROIC is the monolithic combination of both backplane and readout functions.To support the development and build of a SXGA (1280x1024) resolution microbolometer, this project aims to design and develop a ROIC that combines several important functions: 1) readout of pixel data to yield digital pixel output values at a rate of 60 frames per second, 2) integration of NUC (non-uniformity correction) as well as an efficient image processing pipeline to yield high quality images and video output, 3) a secure authentication capability to lock the use of the device to authorized hosts. The Phase 1 effort was a system design effort that examined various options including the question of whether to use a single chip or two chip solution for the combined ROIC and ISP (image signal processing) functions, as well as the CMOS technology node most relevant for the development effort.   With an anticipated sequential Phase 2, the project will deliver what we call Palomar 2, a fully integrated ROIC with ISP for use with the SXGA glass panel to be developed and delivered under another SBIR effort underway.