Integrated High Resolution Thermal Imager with Small Optics

Applied Science Innovations proposes the integrated Automatic Panoramic Thermal Imaging Sensor (APTIS), an Unattended Ground Sensor (UGS) for use the Future Combat Systems (FCS) network's core systems. Existing panoramic reflectors suffer from inherent aberrations, resulting in smaller effective apertures and larger optics. Phase I results have successfully demonstrated feasibility of the "ViperView" panoramic thermal imager with aberration-corrected, diffraction limited optics. Phase II will build on the Phase I success to deliver the first-generation integrated APTIS prototype with instantaneous full horizon detection, location and tracking of multiple targets. It will feature low-cost panoramic optics, self-mapping with integrated GPS, and advanced power management with wakeup capability for extended battery life. The accurate target bearing and temperature profiles provided by the ViperView imager will aid classification, discrimination, and identification of targets, based on remotely reconfigurable rule sets. Interaction of APTIS with other intelligent nodes of a distributed wireless network will provide scalability as envisioned by the network-centric approach. In Phase III, commercial applications of APTIS will serve the needs of the Army and other branches of the Armed Services, as well as civilian applications such as security and law enforcement.