Camera for producing video output signal, infrared focal plane array package for such camera, and method and apparatus for generating video signals from passive focal plane array of elements on a semiconductor substrate

摘要

A camera system primarily for infrared radiation having a focal plane array of microbolometer elements in a vacuum package with inexpensive thermoelectric temperature stabilization is shown. The stabilization temperature may be selected by a designer or a user over a wide range of temperatures, but room temperature use is primarily expected. The microbolometers are passive elements and the readout scheme involves a sweep of the array with a short duration pulse-high level bias current.