Multi-Band / Multi-Threat Warning Sensor

A program to develop a high speed, multi-band, multi-threat warning sensor capable of simultaneously imaging the CO2 red-spike and blue-spike, and laser designators at 1.06 um and 1.55 um is proposed. The proposed system builds upon Surface Optics' real-time hyperspectral imaging activities, modifying the high-speed camera electronics developed for the real-time hyperspectral imagers, and integrating them with Rockwell Scientific's brand new TCM6504 high-speed 512x640 FPA. Capable of 200 frames-per-second (fps) operation at 512 x 512 resolution, and 17,000 fps when windowed down to 32 x 32 resolution, the proposed imager is ideal for a wide variety of applications, including threat warning, detection, and tracking. Under the Phase I effort, Surface Optics Corporation (SOC) and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) will investigate extending SOC's current dual-band imaging technology to accommodate four bands without any significant changes to the imager architecture, and how to properly separate and process the multi-band imagery for robust threat detection and identification. By building on Surface Optics Corporation's, University of Maryland's, and Rockwell Scientific's, combined decades experience in high-speed imaging system development, sensor development, and algorithm development, the proposed program will produce a new four-band Threat Warning IR (TWIR-4) imager of unsurpassed capability, with varied military and commercial applications.