Non-mechanical Scanning Dual-Imaging-Mode Optical Sensor

Wide field-of-view (FOV) imaging sensors with high resolution ability have significant applications in military and commercial fields. Current methodology of employing FLIR or video imaging sensors to search and acquire potential targets is time and power consuming since continuous scanning in a wide FOV and zooming in a local interest area is performed using a gimbaled or moving mechanism. Various efforts have been placed on development of innovative imaging optics or architectures to enable rapid and random access scanning of a FPA over a wide field of regard, while reducing the size, weight, and power compared to conventional scanning technologies. These developments include micro-electro-mechanical focusing mirrors, programmable 2-axis scanning imaging micromirrors, and active pixel sensors, et al. Each technology demonstrated its advantages and weaknesses. New Span Opto-Technology Inc. proposes a new method to implement wide FOV imaging sensor by the use of simple Electro-Optical components. This is a real-time, non-mechanical scanning, and reconfigurable imaging system. It allows wide FOV surveillance with localized high resolution in interested areas. This reconfigurable system realizes fast target detection in one compact system and also overcomes the typical image-processing data throughput bottleneck. In phase I, the feasibility study of the concept design will be performed.