Ring-Field IR Sensor For Space Surveillance

W. S. Hinds; W. B. Birtley

doi:10.1117/12.955170

15 November 1976 Ring-Field IR Sensor For Space Surveillance

W. S. Hinds, W. B. Birtley

Proceedings Volume 0095, Modern Utilization of Infrared Technology II; (1976) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.955170
Event: 20th Annual Technical Symposium, 1976, San Diego, United States

Abstract

A novel scanning sensor concept has been designed and evaluated for missile surveillance from an orbiting satellite. This concept, called a ring-field sensor, is capable of providing fast frame rates, excellent spatial resolution, and high radiometric sensitivity with relatively small optics. The scan implementation utilizes a continuously nutating, optically flat mirror in object space which exhibits very low momentum exchange with the spacecraft. Ring-field scanning combines most of the advantages of a spinning line array and a linear scanning line array for broad band systems without their major disadvantages. Furthermore, it is uniquely suited to predetection filtering over a wide field of view for background suppression. Incorporation of a Fabry-Perot etalon in the optics, for example, will result in improvement in signal to background noise but, more importantly, will provide suppression of the structured background by a factor of two or more. This performance improvement does not require a large number of detectors. The ring-field sensor concept is described, and the results of signal to noise enhancement estimates using the Fabry-Perot etalon are presented. Target and background spectra are included to indicate the basis for the estimates of sensor performance.

Citation Download Citation

W. S. Hinds and W. B. Birtley "Ring-Field IR Sensor For Space Surveillance", Proc. SPIE 0095, Modern Utilization of Infrared Technology II, (15 November 1976); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.955170

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