LWIR focal plane with digital readout demonstrating a passive free-space optical readout link

William J. Mandl; Reinhard D. Ennulat; Conrad W. Terrill; Keith W. Goossen

doi:10.1117/12.354574

26 July 1999 LWIR focal plane with digital readout demonstrating a passive free-space optical readout link

William J. Mandl, Reinhard D. Ennulat, Conrad W. Terrill, Keith W. Goossen

Proceedings Volume 3698, Infrared Technology and Applications XXV; (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354574
Event: AeroSense '99, 1999, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Future high performance IR imaging system require high density focal planes containing up to one million or more detectors. Technological advances are needed to handle the resulting readout data rates in excess of Gbauds/sec and to minimize the on-focal-plane heat load caused by the currently used drivers and signal carrying cables connecting the focal plane inside the vacuum dewar with the outside signal processor. Optical interconnects are a practical alternative only for digital data because of the high non- linearity of the electrical to optical conversion process. We propose to solve these problems by A/D converting the detector signals on the focal pane (FPA) and using on-focal- plane quantum well light modulators to transform the electrical to optical signals. The latter are transmitted by a light beam from the FPA to the signal processor or the display electronics. The enabling technologies are the recently demonstrated on-focal-plane MOSAD converter achieving 14 bit dynamic range and the quantum well light modulators being develop by Lucent Technologies for highspeed bistable optical switches called SEED's for use in telecommunication. We will demonstrate one optical readout channel servicing 4 columns of a LWIR detector array mounted in an experimental dewar.

Citation Download Citation

William J. Mandl, Reinhard D. Ennulat, Conrad W. Terrill, and Keith W. Goossen "LWIR focal plane with digital readout demonstrating a passive free-space optical readout link", Proc. SPIE 3698, Infrared Technology and Applications XXV, (26 July 1999); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.354574

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