Drive Electronics and Processor for an Advanced, MWIR-LWIR, Space Hyperspectral Imager

Through the Phase I effort, Nova Research, Inc. has produced a complete design for a space-based radiation-tolerant infrared sensor system specifically for use with a novel hyperspectral grating imaging spectrometer (GIS) optical system, also under studyas Phase I SBIR at SSG Optronics, Inc. Nova's design makes use of an innovative focal plane array (FPA) packaging concept that eliminates vacuum feedthrus of numerous electrical conductors and uses components and design practices to satisfy systemreliability requirements for space-based applications, in a cost-effective way.In this Phase II effort, Nova proposes the development of a fully-operational prototype for the space-based hyperspectral camera sensor engine that includes the government-supplied FPA, dewar, cooler and electronics package, as well as the ground-supporttest equipment required to operate and demonstrate the system.Modular electronics design and in-system programmable logic will permit the system to apply a variety of post-processing operations to the hyperspectral image data collected. This system will be designed to interface with SSG-produced hyperspectral optics,and a combined demonstration of the system will be performed at the end of the program.