Liquid Crystal Displays within Image Intensifier Systems

The ability to display critical information within the optical train of a night vision device has become a requirement in the aviation community. The current display approaches rely on CRT's, optical combiners, lenses, and fiber optic cable to inject the symbology within the optical train of the night vision device. Besides decreased image tube life, bulkiness, and additional weight, the performance and safety of such systems is considered marginal. Night Vision Corporation (NVC) has developed a unique approach to incorporate symbology within the optical train of a night vision device with much greater potential. We are proposing the insertion of a transparent LCD at the output side of the tabe which can provide a multi-color display. This approach also allows for a relatively simple image fusion of intensified and HUD projected scenes. NVC proposes to conduct a complete survey of current technology to develop system requirements and then build and deliver a prototype of the approach within a ANVIS Night Vision Goggle Monocular.