Thermoelectric cooling management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Focal plane arrays (FPAs) face challenges in maintaining constant system gain and dark levels due to temperature variations, which affect image accuracy, and pixel-to-pixel variations due to manufacturing and temperature changes, requiring thermoelectric cooling to control temperature for accurate imaging.
Innovation Solution
A method of calculating FPA adjustments as a function of temperature and adjusting the thermoelectric cooler (TEC) set point to achieve predetermined performance levels, including calculating system gain and non-uniformity correction maps to produce temperature-independent or dependent image data without constant temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If thermoelectric cooling is used to control FPA temperature, then system gain and dark level stability are improved, but power consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the TEC set point temperature based on ambient temperature conditions and calculated FPA performance parameters. Instead of maintaining a fixed temperature, the system modifies the temperature parameter to optimize performance while reducing power consumption. The controller calculates required FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature and adjusts the TEC set point accordingly, allowing the system to achieve stable gain and dark level with variable temperature control rather than constant cooling.
2Measurement precision
If thermoelectric cooling is used to control FPA temperature, then image accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically calculating FPA performance parameters (system gain, dark level, non-uniformity correction) as a function of temperature and autonomously adjusting the TEC set point without requiring external intervention. The controller continuously monitors ambient temperature, calculates the required FPA adjustments, and modifies the TEC operating parameters to maintain optimal imaging performance. This automated feedback loop reduces the need for complex manual calibration systems while preserving image accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback control by continuously monitoring ambient temperature and FPA operating conditions, calculating the resulting FPA performance parameters, and adjusting the TEC set point to compensate for temperature-induced variations. The system uses calculated FPA adjustments based on temperature-dependent models of system gain and dark level to create a closed-loop control system that maintains image accuracy across varying environmental conditions without requiring overly complex hardware.
3Measurement precision
If correction maps are created at constant temperature, then pixel-to-pixel variation correction is improved, but adaptability to temperature changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from static correction maps created at a single reference temperature to dynamic correction parameters calculated as continuous functions of FPA temperature. The system computes temperature-dependent system gain and non-uniformity correction values that automatically adapt to the current operating temperature. By adjusting the TEC set point based on calculated FPA adjustments, the system maintains accurate pixel-to-pixel correction across a wide temperature range, making the correction mechanism adaptive rather than fixed.
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
This approach enables accurate imaging over a range of temperatures with reduced need for temperature control, minimizing power consumption and hardware requirements while maintaining image quality, and improving performance by compensating for temperature-induced variations.
Implementation Method 1
A typical solution for this problem is to utilize thermoelectric cooling to control the temperature of the FPA
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling FPA system stabilization includes calculating FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature and adjusting a TEC set point to assist the FPA adjustments in attaining a predetermined level of FPA performance. Adjusting the TEC set point can include adjusting the TEC set point as a function of at least one of ambient temperature, FPA temperature, or disparity between the predetermined level of FPA performance and a level of FPA performance obtainable by calculating the FPA adjustments as a function of FPA temperature alone without adjusting the TEC set point.