Use of a miniature infrared COTS sensor in several military applications

摘要

The proliferation of small infrared cameras in high-volume commercial applications (e.g. firefighting, law-enforcement, and automotive) presents a tremendous opportunity for truly low-cost military micro-sensors. Indigo Systems Corporation's UL3 Omega~(TM)camera is a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) thermal imager that offers ultra-small size (3.5 in~3), light weight (102g), and low power (< 1.3 W). It employs a 164x120 microbolometer focal plane array (FPA) and is currently entering full-scale production. Furthermore, a 324x240 upgrade is in development. While aimed primarily at the commercial market, small size and low-power consumption make UL3 well-suited for other applications, including miniature unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) weapon-sights, and unattended ground sensors (UGS). This paper focuses on the key features of the UL3 family of miniature IR cameras and their utility in soldier systems.