Microscan Infrared Detector System Resolving Complexity Contradictions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current IR detector systems face limitations in recognition and identification ranges due to fixed pixel sizes and apertures, leading to complex cryogenic mechanisms, multi-Field of View lenses, and photon starvation issues when trying to increase resolution and range.
Innovation Solution
The use of microscan technology, which moves the image of a target by fractions of a pixel pitch in sequential frames, effectively reducing the detector pitch and increasing sampling density, allowing for improved resolution and range without the need for variable cold stops or complex optics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If variable cold aperture mechanisms are used to increase MW band resolution and range, then recognition and identification ranges are extended, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the variable aperture mechanism from the cryogenic environment, placing it in the ambient temperature optics train instead. This allows the aperture to be variable while eliminating the need for complex cryogenic mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between extended range and reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical variable aperture system with a fixed aperture combined with a variable focal length lens. This substitution maintains the ability to vary the field of view and resolution without requiring complex mechanical adjustments in the cryogenic section, thereby extending recognition range while reducing device complexity
2Measurement precision
If variable focal length telescopes are used to optimize MW band performance, then resolved pixels on target increase, but device complexity and switching time between bands increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single lens system that serves multiple functions: it provides the optimal focal length for LW band operation while also enabling MW band optimization through variable aperture control in the ambient temperature section. This universal design eliminates the need for separate variable focal length telescopes for each band, reducing device complexity and eliminating switching constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the variable focal length functionality from the cryogenic detector section and places it in the ambient temperature optics train. This allows the focal length to be variable without affecting the cryogenic environment, thereby increasing resolved pixels on target while simplifying the overall system design
3Measurement precision
If higher f/# is used in MW band to increase resolution, then recognition range extends, but photon flux decreases causing photon starvation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being varied from aperture size (f/#) to focal length. By varying the focal length in the ambient temperature section while maintaining a fixed aperture, the system achieves different effective f/# values for MW band operation without the photon loss associated with physically reducing the aperture size, thus extending recognition range while avoiding photon starvation
Data Source
AI summary
A detector system is described in which an image of a scene is displaced with reference to a dual waveband detector array. Such ‘scanning’ increases the sampling density, thereby reducing the effective pixel pitch, by moving the image of the scene relative to the detector array by fractions of a pixel pitch in sequential frames. The display is then reconstructed with the data from these frames interleaved relative to the original scan displacement.