Thermal Imaging Calibration With Divided-Aperture Spectral Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectral imaging systems require scanning in both spatial and spectral domains, leading to inefficient data acquisition and the need for expensive, maintenance-intensive cooled detectors, limiting their applicability and mobility.
Innovation Solution
A divided-aperture infrared spectral imaging (DAISI) system that uses uncooled detectors and captures multispectral data in a single snapshot, eliminating the need for spatial and spectral scanning, enabling real-time gas detection and monitoring in a portable form factor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If scanning approaches are used to acquire spectral data, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to sequential data acquisition
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is divided into multiple segments, each associated with a different spectral filter. This allows simultaneous capture of multiple spectral bands through different aperture segments, transforming sequential scanning into parallel acquisition while maintaining spectral resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional spectral scanning to two-dimensional simultaneous capture by spatially distributing multiple spectral filters across the aperture plane. Each filter captures a specific spectral band, and all bands are recorded simultaneously at the focal plane array.
2Measurement precision
If cooled detectors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy deteriorates due to cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces expensive, maintenance-intensive cooled detectors with inexpensive uncooled detectors. While uncooled detectors have lower sensitivity, the segmented aperture design compensates by increasing optical throughput to each detector element, achieving adequate performance without cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating temperature parameter of the detectors from cryogenic (cooled) to ambient (uncooled). This is compensated by optimizing the optical design to deliver sufficient signal intensity to each uncooled detector element through the segmented aperture configuration.
3Measurement precision
If cooled detectors are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to maintenance intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces expensive, maintenance-intensive cooled detectors with inexpensive uncooled detectors that have no cooling requirements, eliminating vacuum seals, cryocoolers, and associated maintenance while achieving adequate detection performance through optimized optical design.
4Measurement precision
If spectral scanning is implemented, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to moving components
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into multiple fixed sections, each with a dedicated spectral filter. This eliminates the need for moving spectral scanning components while maintaining spectral resolution through the spatial distribution of filter elements across the aperture plane.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of scanning through the spectrum with a single aperture and filter, the system inverts the approach by placing multiple filters simultaneously in the aperture plane, allowing all spectral bands to be captured at once without mechanical scanning.
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 DAISI system provides efficient, cost-effective, and robust gas detection capable of operating in extreme conditions, with reduced power consumption and minimal motion artifacts, allowing real-time monitoring and notification of gas presence at multiple locations.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the at least two optical channels can be positioned to transfer IR radiation incident on the optical system towards the optical FPA
Implementation Method 2
A divided-aperture infrared spectral imaging (DAISI) system that uses uncooled detectors and captures multispectral data in a single snapshot
Data Source
AI summary
Thermal imaging systems are provided. An example thermal imaging system includes an infrared (IR) imager that acquires IR image data of a field of view of the IR imager. The thermal imaging system further includes video analysis circuitry operably coupled to the IR imager. The video analysis circuitry receives first temperature data of a first field reference within the field of view of the IR imager, receives second temperature data of a second field reference within the field of view of the IR imager, and receives IR image data from the IR imager. The video analysis circuitry calibrates the IR imager based upon the first temperature data, the second temperature data, and the IR image data. The thermal imaging system may further include a temperature control chamber enclosing the IR imager and configured to thermally isolate the IR imager and temperature sensors thermally coupled to the IR imager.