See Spot Quantum Dot Detector (SEEQD2)

ALPD systems are a necessity on the modern battlefield, enabling US and allied forces to mark, designate, and hand off objects of interest. ALPD systems are comprised ofĀtwo key components ¢ a laser emitter and a sensor.Ā The sensors deployed in current ALPD systems fall into one of two categories: silicon CMOS or InGaAs.Ā Silicon CMOS is low-cost but neither covert nor eye-safe.Ā InGaAs solves both the covert and eye-safety challenges but is very expensive. New detector technologies must be developed to successfully deploy low SWAP-C, eye-safe, covert ALPD solutions. SWIRĀVision Systems (SVS) low-cost, eye-safe, small-pixel pitch-capable colloidal quantum dot (CQD) detector technology is uniquely qualified to offer such a solution. We propose achieving several critical technical and commercial milestones duringĀthis phase II SBIR.Ā On the technical side, we propose demonstrating our low-cost CQD photodiode'sĀability to detect and decode the laser pulses.Ā To achieve this milestone, we plan to leverage existing hardware from the two leading commercial players in the ALPD detector market, QI+SCD, and SUI.Ā The QI+SCD demonstration will use the SCDĀCardinal ROIC and QI Mojave electronics.Ā At the end of this subtask, we propose the delivery of twelve Mojave cameras containing image sensors consisting of the CQD detector material on top of the SCD Cardinal ROIC.Ā As a technical and commercialĀrisk mitigation strategy, aĀsecond demonstration using Collins Aerospace (formerly known as Sensors Unlimited) hardware will be completed.Ā In this demonstration, our CQD detectors will be integrated with their 640x512 ALPD capable ROIC.Ā A detailed test report including ALPD decoding functionality will be generated from the focal planes.ĀĀ To reach solider/warrior price targets, SVS also believes it will need access to aĀROIC not owned by the incumbent players (SCD, and SUI).Ā We therefore suggest we start down this path in this phase of the program.Ā Specifically, weĀproposeĀthe creation of a specification document for both a customĀROIC and a corresponding set of camera electronics.Ā The document will be created with the SVS camera designer, Senseeker ROIC design firm, SVS, and C5ISR to ensure the right balance of cost and performance.Ā After the design document is finalized, Senseeker will complete the pixel design and layout of the new ROIC.Ā A preliminary camera design and corresponding BOM will be generated.Ā The BOM will be used to create a camera electronics cost model as a function of volume.Ā This model will be combined with the existing image sensor cost model to provide a cost model for a SVS-owned ALPD-capable camera.Ā This business model will eliminate the margins associated with key components supplied by the current incumbents. Lastly, we will design and fabricate an optical enhancement structure to increase the QE of the CQD material around 1535 nm.Ā The added QE should increase the maximum range and other key metrics.