High-End Thermal Imaging Systems

摘要

The more complex the observation task, the greater the need for image resolution. The Elbit Systems subsidiary Opgal Optronic Industries defines detection of potential objects of interest as normally requiring two pixels - enough to show that something is there. Recognition of what that object is requires six pixels, but identification of details requires 12 pixels. Historically, thermal imaging has been limited by low resolution in comparison to visible imaging, but last two decades has seen a move to resolutions such as 1024 × 768, 1280 × 1024, and 1920 × 1576 pixels. Originally developed for military use, these high resolutions have now become available in commercial sensors. For example, as its designation of ATHENA 1920 indicates, BAE Systems Sensor Solutions is based on a 1,920 × 1,200-pixel vanadium oxide (VOx) array. This uncooled microbolometer uses 12-micron pixel technology, and has a 60 Hz frame rate. Introduced last year, it is intended for use in security, surveillance, and targeting systems.