Miniaturized Infrared Imaging Camera for Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle

Uncooled focal plane array technology, based on micro-bolometer thermal detectors, has evolved such that high performance can be achieved in both the medium wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long wavelength infrared (LWIR) bands with small pixel pitch, large array format and fast thermal time constant. This improved infrared sensor technology allows development of miniaturized infrared video cameras with high radiometric sensitivity and spatial resolution under both daytime and nighttime conditions. Small pixel pitch allows instantaneous field of view significantly less than 1.5 millirad with short focal lengths and commensurate reduction in the size and weight of the optics suitable for micro-uninhabited aerial vehicle. The predicted noise equivalent temperature difference with f/0.9 LWIR optics is less than 30 mK for the 60 Hz frame rates. Advanced CMOS processes for readout integrated circuitry analog-to-digital conversion and digital signal processing allows reduction in camera power to less than 1.5 watts.