STATE AND TENDENCIES OF DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIA OF PORTABLE NON-COOLED IR-IMAGING SYSTEMS FOR SEARCH TASKS

摘要

The instruments for search tasks can be defined as those used for surveillance (providing image), i.e. IR-Imagers or thermovisors. Their basic goal to detect and visualize the remote heat radiating objects upon thermal disturbances or background. Rather wide range of non-cooled IR-imagers is currently produced in Russia. These imagers are designed for various practical applications, have various functional options, sensitivity, weights, dimensions, etc. In the paper the comparison analysis of available portable search thermalvision instruments (based on non-cooled multi-element solid state sensors for radiation registration) will be done as well as attempt to estimate the prospective of development of such systems in the future in Russia. The analytical review will evaluate products and ways of research works in this field conducted by the Research Institute of Introscopy of MSIA "Spectrum" leader in engineering and manufacturing of handheld thermalvision systems. In the IR-imagers of Russian production the IR cores manufactured by L3 Communication Company (USA) operating in the wave range 7 14mcm are used. In the paper will be discussed actual advantages and disadvantages of bolometric and pyroelectric cores implementation. Specification of portable imagers of "Katran" and "Sprut" series will be given. These portable and wearable imagers can be used by individuals providing efficient surveillance of people at distance up to 1000m as well as transportation means at distance up to 2000m. The most efficient areas of application of IR-imagers, night vision instruments and highly sensitive TV-systems will be discussed. New generations of cores (640x480 & 1280x1024 with pitch size around 17mcm and temperature sensitivity 20mK) open new possibilities for improvement of existing thermal vision systems. The ways of development of integral, combined search and surveillance systems will be discussed, i.e. systems incorporating not only IR-channel but those for laser location, highly sensitive TV channel correlated with IT one, etc. Development of thermal vision equipment from one side gives birth to practically universal diagnostics system and from the other side, due to new functionality, becomes a key element of search and surveillance systems providing public safety and security.