A Low Cost, Dual-Use LWIR HD Camera Core

The overarching objective is to deliver a LWIR HD Camera Module that can be mass produced at far less than the price of today’s VGA solutions.  This will be accomplished by leveraging Owl’s automotive qualified production HD LWIR FPA (with wafer level vacuum packaging) and direct die attach to a single PCB to form the low SWaP-C Camera Core Component.  The Camera Core Component is integrated into the prototype Camera Module that leverages low-cost cell phone camera infrastructure including modern edge processors with integrated ISP (replacing expensive FPGA).  Device drivers on the host configure hybrid calibration on the FPA to perform dynamic NUC and enable Shutter-Free operation. Specific objectives include:Reduce FPA SWaP-CIntegrate production HD ROIC with µBolometers and vacuum lidDevelop “Tile” Calibration algorithmCharacterize tile NUC uniformity residual Fixed Pattern Noise (FPN)Initiate porting tile calibration to wafer level probeCharacterize production FPA specifications including NEDT and power dissipationIncrease capacity and capabilities with alternate µBolometer and lid partnersDeliver Low SWaP-C Camera Core Component (low risk and aggressive cost versions)FPA wire-bonded to PCB with MIPI CSI-2 (30cm) replacing GMSL2 (15m) interfaceProof-of Concept back-side “flip-chip” PCB attach with MIPI CSI-2 Demonstrate Shutter-Free OperationCharacterize die temperature dynamic range of tile NUCEvaluate radiometric potential Fine tune (brightness & contrast) based on die temperature sensorsExternal frame-sync, single shot operationDemonstrate Low SWaP-C Prototype Camera ModuleIntegrate Camera Core Component with a housing, lens and host processor Identify potential Dual-Use module manufacturing partnerCustom Camera Module Integrators Optics selection and integrationEnhanced Linux driver to include image perfection software modulespixel level NUC (in addition to dynamic tile NUC) if requiredAGC (dynamic brightness and contrast adjustments)Lens undistort (for wide angle lenses)Develop streaming thermal application and GUI on hostInvestigate additional Payload SWaP-C opportunitiesContinue roadmap path to smaller pitch (~8um) µbolometerExperimental non-germanium lens (Meta-Optics at University of Washington)Continue tracking of alternate sensors including MWIR CQD Integration with Owl’s thermal optimized software modulesMount on vehicle and capture video for perception evaluationFusion with other sensors (RGB cameras) enabled by external frame sync