Scene simulation projector for 180-deg LWIR imager

Michael E. Couture

doi:10.1117/12.391686

12 July 2000 Scene simulation projector for 180-deg LWIR imager

Michael E. Couture

Proceedings Volume 4027, Technologies for Synthetic Environments: Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing V; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391686
Event: AeroSense 2000, 2000, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Infrared dynamic scene simulation using resistive arrays and projection optics is becoming increasingly common for FLIR's and missile seekers that have narrow to moderate fields of view. This simulation capability enables an imaging system to be tested under a wide variety of simulated scenarios while mitigating some of the cost and complexity of field-testing. OPTICS 1, Inc. has completed a Phase I SBIR and is currently conducting Phase II activities to design, fabricate and test an infrared scene projector for wide-angle infrared imaging systems. Specifically, a need was identified to develop dynamic scene simulation capability for extremely wide-angle infrared imagers such as that under development by OPTICS 1 for contract FO8630-98-C-0022 in support of the Programmable Integrated Ordinance Suite (PIOS) program. This sensor images a full hemispheric field of view in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) waveband and therefore presents extreme challenges for scene projection. A paper under the same title was submitted and presented in 1999 defining the progress reached under the Phase I program. This paper describes progress under the Phase II program which will culminate in hardware delivered to the KHILS facility at Eglin AFB, FL in the fall of 2000. A brief overview of the units to be tested is included in Section 2 and a similar overview of the projector layout and nominal performance is contained in Section 3. The majority of this publication discusses the analyses conducted for the projector assembly and specific issues that were address both from the analyses and in the specification of several components. This information is included in Section 4. The design consists of a scene projection channel and a solar simulation channel. The scene channel is designed to use a resistive array and contains a 2X zoom relay assembly to accept array formats between 1.0 and 2.0 inches. The solar simulation channel uses a tunable laser diode to simulate the sun in the field of view (FOV). This channel utilizes orthogonal mirrors driven by galvanometer motors to simulate apparent movement of the sun in the FOV due to missile body motions. The two channels are combined at a dichroic beamsplitter and utilize the final collimating subassembly together.

Citation Download Citation

Michael E. Couture "Scene simulation projector for 180-deg LWIR imager", Proc. SPIE 4027, Technologies for Synthetic Environments: Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing V, (12 July 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.391686

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KEYWORDS

Projection systems

Imaging systems

Tolerancing

Scene simulation

Sensors

Optical simulations

Beam splitters

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