On-orbit performance of the Compact Infrared Camera (CIRC) with uncooled infrared detector

Haruyoshi Katayama; Michito Sakai; Eri. Kato; Yasuhoiro Nakajima; Koji. Nakau; Toshiyoshi Kimura

doi:10.1117/12.2179764

8 June 2015 On-orbit performance of the Compact Infrared Camera (CIRC) with uncooled infrared detector

Haruyoshi Katayama, Michito Sakai, Eri. Kato, Yasuhoiro Nakajima, Koji. Nakau, Toshiyoshi Kimura

Proceedings Volume 9451, Infrared Technology and Applications XLI; 94511D (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2179764
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2015, Baltimore, MD, United States

Abstract

We have developed the Compact Infrared Camera (CIRC) with an uncooled infrared array detector (microbolometer) for space application. Microbolometers have an advantage of not requiring cooling system such as a mechanical cooler, and is suitable for resource-limited sensor system. Another characteristic of the CIRC is its use of athermal optics. The athermal optics system compensates for defocus owing to temperature changes. We also employ a shutter-less system which is a method to correct non-uniformity of the detector without a mechanical shutter.

The CIRC achieves a small size (approximately 200 mm), light mass (approximately 3 kg), and low electrical power consumption (<20 W) by employing athermal optics and a shutterless system.

The CIRC is launched in May 2014 as a technology-demonstration payload of Advanced Land Observation Satellite-2 (ALOS-2). Since the initial functional verification phase (July 4-14, 2014), the CIRC was demonstrated a function according to its intended design. We also confirmed the temperature accuracy of the CIRC observation data is within ±4K in the calibration validation phase after the initial functional verification phase. The CIRC also detected wildfires in various areas and observed the volcano activities in the operational phase.

In this paper, we present the on-orbit performance of the CIRC onboard ALOS-2.

Citation Download Citation

Haruyoshi Katayama, Michito Sakai, Eri. Kato, Yasuhoiro Nakajima, Koji. Nakau, and Toshiyoshi Kimura "On-orbit performance of the Compact Infrared Camera (CIRC) with uncooled infrared detector", Proc. SPIE 9451, Infrared Technology and Applications XLI, 94511D (8 June 2015); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2179764

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available