Uncooled Infrared (IR) Camera with High Resolution Zoom

ISC has successfully developed algorithms that utilize micro scan techniques for a variety of applications. The first of these required a large computing system to convert real-time FLIR imagery for stabilization in an air platform. The technology was further developed to do non-real-time resolution enhancement to evaluate surveillance video. A commercial product was developed known as "Redhawk"T that provides high-resolution still images from video data streams. Processing technology has advanced to the point that full-rate video can be processed to achieve resolution enhancements in real-time using the ISC-developed algorithms for micro scan. While most of the effort has focused on RS-170 type analog video streams, the process works better with digitized data that can be made available from the more customized processing of thermal cameras. The proposed program will adapt the prior algorithms to the digital video stream of thermal imaging microbolometers to convert 320x240 data into the equivalent of 640x480 or higher without the loss of sensitivity. ISC intends to update the key algorithms and verify them on an existing 320x240 camera. With that success, a study will be made of how newer generation 640x480 cameras could be further enhanced for the longer-range weapon environments.