High Performance High-Output Resistive Emitter Design and Circuit Implementations

Resistive heating technology is the most mature of the myriad IR scene projection technologies available today; it has the longest developmental history, the largest number of units in the field, and the best performance figures of merit in terms of speed, dynamic range, temperature resolution flicker-less emission, broadband output, greater than 512 x 512 spatial resolution and high frame rates. These factors make it the most appropriate and realistic foundation on which to base the development of the next generation of high dynamic range IR scene projectors. Attaining the temperatures required for future MDA weapons systems such as targets with hot engine exhausts, rocket plumes and infrared countermeasures requires development on numerous fronts: materials, power distribution, thermal management, and system design. This proposal will address the use and interface of high-temperature emitter materials and innovative CMOS high power circuit design methods that will reduce or eliminate "buss bar robbing" effects. These advances will make possible the evolution of emitting arrays of up to 1024 x 1024 elements with the capability for individual emitting sites to reach 2000K effective MWIR temperatures (3000K actual surface temperatures).