Scene-Based VAM-NUC

The 3rd Generation FLIR systems have a unique Variable Aperture Mechanism (VAM) that is located in an aperture stop inside the camera dewar cold space. The VAM allows changing the camera f/# to match changes in the fore optics f/# optimizing MW/LWIR imagery. The presence of the VAM allows for some unique NUC procedures that are not available otherwise. We plan to take advantage of the VAM capability and incorporate scene-based NUC such that the video stream from the camera is not interrupted. Specifically, OptoKnowledge proposes three different scene-based NUC techniques for 3rd Generation FLIR in this effort. We will implement these techniques and test and compare results using quantitative figures of merit. The results will be compared to pristine images that serve as the reference. These images will be noised-up and then operated upon using the three different NUC methods. We believe that we will achieve state-of-the-art scene-based NUC performance without interrupting the view by leveraging the VAM and will demonstrate this during this effort.