Borderless Overlay Display Layout for Low-SWaP Night Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Analog night vision systems face challenges in increasing size, weight, and power due to the integration of overlay displays, which are necessary for providing additional information to users.
Innovation Solution
A borderless overlay display configuration is implemented using semiconductor chips with electro-optical circuits, where data-handling circuitry is integrated within the active area, and transparent regions are arranged between light emitters, minimizing the need for additional space and reducing the overall size and weight of the system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an overlay display is added to analog NV systems, then additional information can be conveyed to the user, but the size, weight, and power of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay display is integrated directly into the phosphor screen substrate, merging the display function with the existing image intensifier structure. This eliminates separate display components and reduces overall system weight while maintaining the capability to convey additional information to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphor screen substrate serves dual functions: as the light-emitting surface for the image intensifier and as the base substrate for the overlay display circuits. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby reducing system weight.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an overlay display is added to analog NV systems, then additional information can be conveyed to the user, but the size of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay display circuits are fabricated directly on the phosphor screen substrate, merging two functions into a single component layer. This integration eliminates the need for separate display modules and reduces the overall system size.
Solution Approach 2:
The display circuits are arranged in a planar configuration on the substrate surface, utilizing the two-dimensional space of the phosphor screen rather than adding depth or volume. This approach minimizes the increase in system size while maintaining display functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an overlay display is added to analog NV systems, then additional information can be conveyed to the user, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overlay display shares the phosphor screen substrate and optical path with the image intensifier, merging power requirements. The display uses the existing vacuum tube environment and electron multiplication processes to generate light, reducing the need for separate power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The display circuits utilize the existing electron beam and vacuum tube environment to generate display light. The same electron multiplication process that intensifies the night vision image also provides the light source for the display, eliminating the need for separate high-power light sources.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The borderless display configuration effectively reduces the size and weight of night vision systems while maintaining functionality, avoiding the need for beam splitters and minimizing power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The image intensifier has a photocathode that emits electrons in response to incident photons
Implementation Method 2
The emitted electrons are accelerated through a vacuum tube and directed towards a microchannel plate that amplifies the signal by multiplying the number of electrons
Implementation Method 3
The multiplied electrons then strike a phosphor screen, and, via the phenomenon of luminescence, the phosphor screen emits photons in response to radiant energy (e.g., the electrons)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system including a transparent overlay display that transmit direct-view light representing an intensified image and emits display light representing a display image. The transparent overlay display is a borderless display in which the active area extends to at least one edge of the display. Data-handling circuitry is arranged within the active area, rather than being arranged along a border of the display. The data-handling circuitry may be fabricated in the active area of the display by fabricating it below opaque pixel regions that generate the display light. This borderless configuration allows partial overlap with the intensified image by eliminating opaque borders in which the data-handling circuitry is fabricated. This borderless configuration helps to minimize size, weight, and power by reducing the size of the display and eliminating the need for bulky beam splitters.