DUAL BAND INFRARED RADIOMETER FOR PRECISE BATTLEFIELD SKIN TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENTS

We propose to develop a two-color, ratio radiometer for precise skin temperature measurements of adversaries exposed to the millimeter wave radiation source of the Active Denial System (ADS). We will achieve +/- 1 degree Celsius absolute temperature accuracy over the global range of operation environments by configuring the ADS Radiometer with a dual-band infrared QWIP detector optimized for MWIR and LWIR spectral bands chosen for minimally susceptible to atmospheric variability and greatest sensitivity to skin temperature changes. We will use meteorological instruments as input to atmospheric predictive codes to bias the ratio of the atmospheric transmission of the two spectral bands. The benefits of ratio radiometery is that the absolute transmission values are not required and errors are associated only in deviations of the ratio of the bands. During Phase I, we validated the operational capabilities of our ADS Radiometer system by testing the device against various US Navy atmospheric databases. During Phase I, we also established detailed error budgets that form the basis of our component specifications and for our calibration strategy. Our Phase II design embraces the fact that non-lethal weapons maintenance requirements must be reasonably compatible with those for other items of equipment and support procedures should not require extraordinary arrangements or the introduction of a large quantity of system-specific test and repair equipment. By rigorously engineering the instrument, embracing simple, yet powerful, electro-optical system practices, we optimize the performance and life cycle costs of the ADS Radiometer.