New technologies for HWIL testing of WFOV, large-format FPA sensor systems

Christopher Fink

doi:10.1117/12.2235500

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3 May 2016 New technologies for HWIL testing of WFOV, large-format FPA sensor systems

Christopher Fink

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Proceedings Volume 9820, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXVII; 98201B (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235500
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2016, Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Abstract

Advancements in FPA density and associated wide-field-of-view infrared sensors (>=4000x4000 detectors) have outpaced the current-art HWIL technology. Whether testing in optical projection or digital signal injection modes, current-art technologies for infrared scene projection, digital injection interfaces, and scene generation systems simply lack the required resolution and bandwidth. For example, the L3 Cincinnati Electronics ultra-high resolution MWIR Camera deployed in some UAV reconnaissance systems features 16MP resolution at 60Hz, while the current upper limit of IR emitter arrays is ~1MP, and single-channel dual-link DVI throughput of COTs graphics cards is limited to 2560x1580 pixels at 60Hz. Moreover, there are significant challenges in real-time, closed-loop, physics-based IR scene generation for large format FPAs, including the size and spatial detail required for very large area terrains, and multi - channel low-latency synchronization to achieve the required bandwidth. In this paper, the author’s team presents some of their ongoing research and technical approaches toward HWIL testing of large-format FPAs with wide-FOV optics. One approach presented is a hybrid projection/injection design, where digital signal injection is used to augment the resolution of current-art IRSPs, utilizing a multi-channel, high-fidelity physics-based IR scene simulator in conjunction with a novel image composition hardware unit, to allow projection in the foveal region of the sensor, while non-foveal regions of the sensor array are simultaneously stimulated via direct injection into the post-detector electronics.

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Christopher Fink "New technologies for HWIL testing of WFOV, large-format FPA sensor systems", Proc. SPIE 9820, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXVII, 98201B (3 May 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2235500

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