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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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