It is typically assumed in calibrating emitter array projection systems that the radiated spectrum is Planckian and that
intervening optics attenuate the signal but do not change the spectral shape significantly. Calibrating such a system is
relatively easy in that blackbody reference sources are available to calibrate the unit under test (UUT), or other sensor
with similar spectral responsivity, which can then be used as a transfer standard for array calibration. In this way the
projector command value required to produce the same response in the UUT as the modeled object is readily obtained.
With a visible projector, this is not the case. The modeled object spectrum is often solar reflective. To calibrate using
the same approach as infrared systems would require a 5800 K blackbody. Furthermore, the spectrum of the visible
output in a multispectral, common boresight projection system can differ pathologically from the visible projector
subsystem alone because of dichroic beam combiner characteristics. This paper describes a process developed to
calibrate a visible projector in such a system without even having the UUT or spectrally equivalent surrogate available as
a transfer standard.
The Micromirror Array Projector System (MAPS) is an advanced dynamic scene projector system developed by Optical
Sciences Corporation (OSC) for Hardware-In-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation and sensor test applications. The MAPS is
based upon the Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) which has been modified to project high
resolution, realistic imagery suitable for testing sensors and seekers operating in the UV, visible, NIR, and IR
wavebands. Since the introduction of the first MAPS in 2001, OSC has continued to improve the technology and
develop systems for new projection and Electro-Optical (E-O) test applications. This paper reviews the basic MAPS
design and performance capabilities. We also present example projectors and E-O test sets designed and fabricated by
OSC in the last 7 years. Finally, current research efforts and new applications of the MAPS technology are discussed.
Currently, no infrared scene projector technology has the ability to completely simulate the real-world, high dynamic range temperatures encountered by modern infrared imagers. This paper presents the merging of two infrared scene technologies in an effort to develop the first truly high dynamic range infrared scene projector. The observed dynamic range capability simulates 250 Kelvin apparent background temperature to 1273 Kelvin maximum apparent temperature. The research combines the technologies of an emissive resistor array device and an optically scanned quantum well diode laser array projector. The high apparent temperature simulations are the direct result of luminescent infrared radiation emitted by the diode lasers. The simulation of low background apparent temperatures was obtained by enclosing the entire projector system in an environmental chamber operating at -40 °Celsius. The apparent temperature of the hybrid infrared scene projector was analytically calculated and compared to the measured results. Sample imagery from the high dynamic range infrared scene projector is furnished in the conclusion along with the final applicability of the hybrid approach.
This paper will present the progress on AMRDEC's development of a cold background, flight motion simulator (FMS) mountable, emitter array based projector for use in hardware-in-the-loop systems simulation. The goal for this development is the ability to simulate realistic low temperature backgrounds for windowed/domed seekers operating in tactical and exo-atmospheric simulations. The projector has been developed to operate at -10 degrees Celsius in order to reduce the apparent background temperature presented to the sensor under test. The projector system includes a low temperature operated Honeywell BRITE II emitter array, refractive optical system with zoom optics, integrated steerable point source and high-frequency jitter mirror contained within an FMS-mountable environmental chamber. This system provides a full-FOV cold background, two-dimensional dynamic IR scene projection, a high dynamic range independently steerable point source and combined optical path high frequency jitter control. The projector is designed to be compatible with operation on a 5 axis electric motor driven Carco flight motion simulator.
KEYWORDS: Digital micromirror devices, Projection systems, Video, Electronics, Micromirrors, Binary data, Long wavelength infrared, Black bodies, Sensors, Control systems
The Micromirror Array Projector System (MAPS) is a state-of-the-art dynamic scene projector developed by Optical Sciences Corporation (OSC) for Hardware-In-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation and sensor test applications. Since the introduction of the first MAPS in 2001, OSC has continued to improve the technology and develop systems for new projection and test applications. The MAPS is based upon the Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) which has been modified to project high resolution, realistic imagery suitable for testing sensors and seekers operating in the UV, visible, NIR, and IR wavebands. This paper reviews the basic design and describes recent developments and new applications of the MAPS technology. Recent developments for the MAPS include increasing the format of the micromirror array to 1280x1024, increasing the video frame rate to >230 Hz, development of a DMD active cooling system, and development of a high-temperature illumination blackbody.
This paper will present the results and progress of AMRDEC'S development of two cold background, flight motion simulator (FMS) mountable, emitter array based infared scene projectors for use in hardware-in-the-loop systems simulation. The goal for this development is the ability to simulate realistic low temperature backgrounds for windowed/domed seekers operating in tactical and exo-atmospheric simulations. Two projectors have been simultaneously developed; the first represents a streamlined pathfinder version consisting of a Honeywell emitter array and refractive optical system contained within an FMS-mountable environmental chamber cooled to -55 degrees Celsius. The second system is the full-capability version including a cryogenically operated BRITE II emitter array, zoom optics, integrated steerable point source and high-frequency jitter mirror contained within a similar FMS-mountable environmental chamber. This system provides a full-FOV cold background, two dimensional dynamic IR scene projection, a high dynamic range independently steerable point source and combined optical path high frequency jitter control. Both projectors are designed to be compatible with operation on a 5 axis electric motor driven Carco flight motion simulator. Results presented will include design specifications, optical performance, samlple imagery, apparent temperature and proposed future improvements.
The U.S. Army's Research, Development, and Engineering Command's (RDECOM) Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) provides Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) test support to numerous tactical and theatre missile programs. Critical to the successful execution of these tests is the state-of-the-art technologies employed in the visible and infrared scene projector systems. This paper describes the results of characterizations tests performed on new mid-wave infrared (MWIR) quantum well laser diodes recently provided to AMRDEC by the Naval Research Labs and Sarnoff Industries. These lasers provide a +10X imrovement in MWIR output over the previous technology of lead-salt laser diodes. Performance data on output power, linearity, and solid-angle coverage are presented. A discussion of the laser packages is also provided.
Hardware-in-the-loop testing has, for many years, been an integral part of the modeling and simulation efforts at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command's (AMCOM) Aviation and Missile Research, Engineering, and Development Center (AMRDEC). AMCOM's history includes the development, characterization, and implementation of several unique technologies for the creation of synthetic environments in the visible and infrared regions and AMCOM has continued significant efforts in these areas. Recently, AMCOM has been testing and characterizing a new state-of-the-art resistor array projector and advanced flight motion simulator (FMS). This paper describes recent test and integration activities of the Honeywell BRITE II emitter array and its integration into an infrared scene projector (IRSP) compatible with a new Carco Flight Motion Simulator (FMS).
The Micromirror Array Projector System (MAPS) is a state-of-the-art dynamic scene projector developed by Optical Sciences Corporation (OSC) for Hardware-In-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation and sensor test applications. Since the introduction of the first MAPS in 2001, OSC has continued to improve the technology and develop systems for new projection and test applications. The MAPS is based upon the Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) which has been modified to project high resolution, realistic imagery suitable for testing sensors and seekers operating in the UV, visible, NIR, and IR wavebands. This paper reviews the basic design and describes recent developments and new applications of the MAPS technology. Recent developments for the MAPS include increasing the format of the micromirror array to 1024x768 and increasing the binary frame rate to 10KHz. The MAPS technology has also been applied to the design of a Mobile Extended Spectrum Electro-Optical Test Set (MESEOTS). This test set is designed for testing UV, visible, NIR and IR sensors as well as laser rangefinders, laser trackers, and laser designators. The design and performance of the improved MAPS and the MESEOTS are discussed in paper.
Hardware-in-the-loop testing has, for many years, been an integral part of the modeling and simulation efforts at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command's (AMCOM) Aviation and Missile Research, Engineering, and Development Center (AMRDEC). AMCOM's history includes the development, characterization, and implementation of several unique technologies for the creation of synthetic environments in the visible and infrared regions and AMCOM has
continued significant efforts in these areas. Recently, AMCOM has been testing and characterizing a new state-of-the-art resistor array projector and advanced flight motion simulator (FMS). This paper describes recent test and integration activities of the Honeywell BRITE II emitter array and its integration into an infrared scene projector (IRSP) compatible with a new Carco Flight Motion Simulator (FMS).
The Aviation and Missile Research, Engineering, and Development Center (AMRDEC) of the US Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) has an extensive history of applying all types of modeling and simulation to weapon system development and has been a particularly strong advocate of hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation and test for many years. Key to the successful application of HWIL testing at AMCOM has been the use of state-of-the-art IR Scene Projector technologies. This paper describes recent advancements within the AMRDEC Advanced Simulation Center HWIL facilities with a specific emphasis on the sate of the various IRSP technologies employed. Included in these IRSP technologies are the latest Honeywell and Santa Barbara IR emitter arrays, the DMD-based IR projectors, and the laser diode array projector.
Optical Sciences Corp. has developed a new dynamic infrared scene projector technology called the Micromirror Array Projector System (MAPS). The MAPS is based upon the Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror DeviceTM which has been modified to project images that are suitable for testing sensors and seekers operating in the UV, visible, and IR wavebands. The projector may be used in several configurations which are optimized for specific applications. This paper provides an overview of the design and performance of the MAPS projection system, as well as example imagery from prototype projector systems.
This paper describes the recent addition, characterization, and integration of emerging technologies for dynamic infrared scene projection at the US Army Aviation and Missile Command's Advanced Simulation Center. Infrared scene projection performs a vital role in the daily testing of tactical and theater missile systems within these Hardware- in-the-Loop (HWIL) laboratories. Topics covered within this paper include the addition and characterizations of new Honeywell and Santa Barbara Infrared emitter arrays, the integration and operation of the Honeywell and SBIR emitter array systems into a HWIL test, the development of high speed reduced-size IRSP drive electronics, the development of a NUC/characterization station, added software support, and the status of DMD-based infrared scene projector. Example imagery and test results from several of the projector systems are included within this paper.
This paper describes the recent addition, characterization, and integration of emerging technologies for dynamic infrared scene projection at the US Army Aviation and Missile Command's (AMCOM) Advanced Simulation Center (ASC). Infrared scene projection performs a vital role in the daily testing of tactical and theatre missile systems within these Hardware-in- the-Loop (HWIL) laboratories. Topics covered within this paper include the addition and characterization of new Honeywell and Santa Barbara infrared emitter arrays, a five-axis flight motion table test configuration, unique calibration/NUC schemes, added software support, verification/validation results, and supplemental projection systems. A new dynamic IR scene projector technology based upon the Digital Micromirror DeviceTM is also presented in the paper, as well as example imagery from several of the projector systems.
Optical Sciences Corporation has designed and implemented a 116 inch exit pupil relief optical system for dynamic infrared scene projection to flight table mounted seekers at the U.S. Army Missile Command (AMCOM) Research, Development, and Engineering Center (RDEC). The optical system collimates the output from a 512 X 512 element resistor array in the 3 - 5 micrometer waveband. The large pupil stand-off is necessary to support projector operation in a millimeter wave (MMW) anechoic chamber. The facility is designed to stimulate a common aperture, dual-band seeker with millimeter wave and IR imagery via a dichroic beam combiner. The dichroic beam combiner is located in the anechoic chamber and reflects the IR scene while transmitting MMW signals. The optical system exhibits distortion of less than 0.5% over the full field of view and chromatic focal shift of less than 10% of the diffraction limited range. The performance of the system is limited by the diffraction limit. This document describes the simulation environment and arrangement, outlines the design procedure from predesign and achromatization to final tolerancing, and presents final test data and sample imagery.
This paper describes the application of multiple IR projector technologies to hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulations at the US Army Aviation and Missile Command's (AMCOM) Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (MRDEC). Several projectors utilizing a variety of emerging technologies are currently being successfully applied within the HWIL facilities of AMCOM's MRDEC. Projector technologies utilized at AMCOM include laser diode array projectors, Honeywell's bright resistive infrared thermal emitter arrays, an IR zoom projector with thermoscenes, and steerable point source projectors. Future plans include a new resistor array projector called the Multispectral Infrared Animation Generation Equipment, which is being manufactured by Santa Barbara Infrared. These projector technologies have been used to support multiple HWIL test entries of various seeker configurations. Seeker configurations tested include: two InSb 256 X 256 FPAs, an InSb 512 X 512 FPA, a PtSi 640 X 480 FPA, a PtSi 256 X 256 FPA, a HgCdTe 256 X 256 FPA, a scanning linear array, and an uncooled 320 X 240 microbolometer FPA. The application, capabilities, and performance of each technology are reviewed in the paper. Example imagery collected from each operational system is also presented.
This paper describes recent developments and the current status of the Laser Diode Array Projector (LDAP) Technology. The LDAP is a state-of-the-art dynamic infrared scene projector system capable of generating high resolution in-band infrared imagery at high frame rates. Three LDAPs are now operational at the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command's (AMCOM) Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (MRDEC). These projectors have been used to support multiple Hardware-in-the-Loop test entries of various seeker configurations. Seeker configurations tested include an InSb 256 X $256 focal-plane array (FPA), an InSb 512 X 512 FPA, a PtSi 640 X 480 FPA, a PtSi 256 X 256 FPA, an uncooled 320 X 240 microbolometer FPA, and two dual field- of-view (FOV) seekers. Several improvements in the projector technology have been made since we last reported in 1997. The format size has been increased to 544 X 544, and 672 X 512, and it has been proven that the LDAP can be synchronized without a signal from the unit-under test (UUT). The control software has been enhanced to provide 'point and click' control for setup, calibration, image display, image capture, and data analysis. In addition, the first long-wave infrared (LWIR) LDAP is now operational, as well as a dual field of view LDAP which can change its FOV within 0.25 seconds. The projector is interfaced to a Silicon Graphics scene generation computer which is capable of real-time 3-D scene generation. Sample images generated with the projector and captured by an InSb FPA sensor are included in the text.
A dynamic infrared (IR) scene projector which is based upon diode lasers is now operational at the US Army Missile Command's Research, Development, and Engineering Center. The projector is referred to as the Laser Diode Array Projector. It utilizes a 64-element linear array of Pb-salt diode lasers coupled with a high-speed optical scanning system, drive electronics and synchronization electronics to generate in-band IR scenes. The projector is interfaced to a real-time scene generation computer which is capable of 3D scene generation. This paper describes the process for calibration of the projector and the correction of spatial non-uniformities which are inherent in the projector design. Each laser within the system must be calibrated so that its output power is linear with respect to input gray level. The calibration table for each laser is stored in the projector electronics memory and is applied in real-time. In addition, spatial variations in perceived pixel intensity must be corrected such that the output scene is uniform. Gain and offset correction factors for each pixel are used to correct the spatial non-uniformities. The gain and offset terms are applied to each pixel in real-time by the projector drive electronics. The projector's overall performance characteristics, including the non-uniformity correction (NUC) performance level achieved-to-date, are presented in the paper. Issues associated with NUC limitations are also discussed. Sample images generated with the projector and captured by an InSb FPA sensor are included in the text.
This paper describes the current design characteristics and performance capabilities of the US Army Missile Command's diode laser based infrared scene projector technology. The projector is now operational at the US Army Missile Command's Research, Development, and Engineering Center and is being integrated into several HWIL simulation facilities. The projector is based upon a linear array of Pb-salt diode lasers coupled with a high-speed optical scanning system, drive electronics and synchronization electronics. The projector design has been upgraded to generate 256 X 256 resolution scenes at 4 KHz frame rates, and the fabrication of a 544 X 544 projector is in progress. The projector system now includes real-time non-uniformity correction electronics and is interfaced with a real-time scene generation computer. In addition, a closed-cycle cryogenic cooling system has been added for increased dynamic range and maintenance-free operation. The system's modularity provides upgradability to meet specific performance requirements such as increased spatial resolution, different emission wavelengths, or dual-band scene projections. The projector's upgraded design and performance characteristics are presented in this paper, as well as sample images generated with the projector and captured by an InSb FPA sensor.
A high-speed dynamic IR scene projector based upon diode lasers has been designed, fabricated, and delivered to the U.S. Army Missile Command's (USAMICOM's) Research, Development, and Engineering Center (RDEC). The projector was developed under a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research award. The projector is based upon a linear array of Pb- salt diode lasers coupled with a high-speed optical scanning system, drive electronics and synchronization electronics. The projector is capable of generating high dynamic range, 128 X 128 scenes at 8 KHz frame rates. The system's modularity provides upgradability to meet specific performance requirements such as increased spatial resolution, different emission wavelengths, or dual-band scene projection. The projector's performance characteristics are presented in the paper, as well as sample images generated with the projector and captured by an InSb FPA sensor.
As IR sensor systems become more sophisticated, more stringent requirements are also placed on in-band IR scene projectors for hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) applications. In general, the projector must be as good as, if not better than, the seeker in its performance. High scene fidelity, wide dynamic range, and high frame rates are now firm requirements, rather than idealized design goals. A novel type of projector system using diode lasers as sources offers several performance advantages over other currently available projector technologies. A projector of this type has been designed, built, and delivered to USAMICOM RDEC's HWIL branch under a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) award. The projector demonstrates high dynamic range, 128 X 128 scene size, and 8 KHz frame rates. The optical design for this system presents challenges not usually seen in projector systems, as it combines characteristics both of scanning and imaging systems. The optical system can best be described as a type of `reverse FLIR,' and uses anamorphic elements, an unusual polygon scan mirror, and a 2:1 telescopic relay.
A novel concept for dynamic IR scene projection using IR diode lasers has been developed. This technology offers significant cost and performance advantages over other currently available projector technologies. Performance advantages include high dynamic range, multiple wavebands, and high frame rates. A projector system which utilizes a 16-element linear array has been developed and integrated into the millimeter wave/infrared (MMW/IR) hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) facility at the US Army Missile Command's (USAMICOM's) Research, Development, and Engineering Center (RDEC). This projector has demonstrated dynamic range in excess of 105, apparent temperatures greater than 2500 degree(s)C, and nanosecond response times. Performance characteristics for this projector system are presented in the paper. Designs for projectors to test other IR sensor configurations, including FPAs, have been developed and are presented as well. The FPA design consists of a linear array of diode lasers scanned by a polygon mirror. This low-cost projector offers high resolution, high contrast 2-D scenes at up to 10 KHz frame rates. Simulation of active IR countermeasures is another promising application of diode laser projector systems. The diode laser is capable of simulating flares or virtually any IR jammer waveform.
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