1024x1024 Tactical IR HgCdTe Staring Sensor System

Stephen R. Barrios, Arsen Bogosyan, Gilbert Y. Chan, Michael B. Gubala, Herbert Huey,
Raymond Kwok, Raymond G. Lawrence, Mark Muzilla, John W. Yang
The Boeing Company
Electronic Systems & Missile Defense Division
3370 Miraloma Ave
Anaheim, CA 92803

ABSTRACT
Boeing has demonstrated Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) imaging performance of a large format tactical
sensor based on a 1024x1024 focal plane array (EPA). The ultra-high density infrared (IR) sensor system
consists of a 10.47 mm aperture optics, a 10242 Mercury Cadmium Telluride (HgCdTe) EPA, a Sterling
cycle integrated cooler dewar assembly (IDA), and a pre-processor with advanced algorithms for data
correction and image enhancement. In this paper, we will present measured performance parameters of the
staring sensor system including minimum resolvable temperature (MRT), noise equivalent temperature
difference (NEDT), and noise equivalent irradiance (NET). Key features and attributes of the integrated
hardware will also be described. A similar instrument to enhance situational awareness is under evaluation
as part of a panoramic camera system to demonstrate feasibility of sensor-guided landing in adverse
environments for heavy transports such as the Boeing C17 aircraft. Considerations are underway to utilize

the camera as part of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) sensor suite. We will introduce other system
applications for which the large format imagery can be strategically employed and discuss its operational
advantages.
Keywords: High Resolution Camera, 10242, HgCdTe, Focal Plane Array, 2 Color FPA, Boeing

1. INTRODUCTION
Two dimensional, staring, infrared sensors are becoming an important element in advanced battlefield
engagement to maintain our military superiority as demonstrated in Desert Storm and Bosnia. With
advancing next generation weapons systems such as Joint Strike Fighter, Tactical High Energy Laser
Weapon, and Multi-mission sensor systems, improved sensor resolution and wide area surveillance for
enhanced engagement range coverage are essential for the responsiveness, accuracy, and lethality of these
advanced weapon systems.
To support the competing requirements of high resolution and wide field-of-view coverage while providing
increased sensitivity and reliability, very large area focal plane arrays are necessary. Boeing, through its

historical association with Rockwell Science Center since the early 1980s, has been producing high
performance two-dimensional staring focal plane arrays for military and commercial applications. As a
continual advancement of EPA technology, Boeing has demonstrated the feasibility of an ultra-high density

10242 portable tactical camera using MWIR HgCdTe EPA. The performance of this camera will be
summarized within the contents of this paper.

With the maturity of this technological advancement, Boeing has been expanding its research effort into
ultra-high density two-color FPAs through its IR&D effort and government funded developments.

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Infrared Technology and Applications XXVI, Bjrn F. Andresen, Gabor F. Fulop, Marija Strojnik, Editors,
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2. SENSOR DESCRIPTION
The Boeing ultra-high density camera, shown in Figure 2-1, is a modular design that consists of four major

subassemblies: 1) A 10242 IDA, 2) Lens Assembly, 3) FLIR Imaging Electronics, and 4) Housing
Assembly. The optics consists of a 3 1 .42mm, F/3.O, 33 x 33 wide-angle lens with matching cold shield in
the IDA. The 10242 EPA is read out in four quadrants. The FLIR Imaging Electronics consists of a power

supply, a video display controller, a EPA timing controller, four digitizer-NUC modules, and a four

quadrant stitching module. The EPA runs at a 30 Hz frame rate, and the four quadrants operate
simultaneously. The data from the four quadrants are combined by the stitching electronics, and then fed to
the video display. The display conforms to the EIA-343A 1023 lines composite video format, with 946
lines displayed tO preserve the aspect ratio. The display electronics also adjusts the brightness and contrast
to compress the 1?-bit data into 8-bits for the video DAC. Figure 2-2 , illustrates the top level functional
block diagram of the camera. Table 2-1 summarizes the key parameters of the camera system.

ra

a
r%rJ{&

:xUt
:t:tl
a

__*_

ar

::

j4.fl: ;t ":

Figure 2-1. 10242 HgCdTe Camera

Figure 2-2. 10242 Camera Functional Block Diagram

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Table 2-1. 10242 Camera Parameter Summary

PERFORMANCE
PARAMETERS
Focal Plan Array
Number Of Detector

SPECIFICATIONS
MWIR HgCdTe (MCT)
1024 x1024

(elevation_x_azimuth)

Detector Pitch (jim)

Fill Factor
Spectral Band (jim)
Type of Cooling
Cool Down Time minutes)
EPA Operating Temperature (K)
Field of View
F/#

>90%
MWIR (3.8 4.8)
1 watt Linear Split Sterling Closed Cycled Cooler
<8 @ 300K
85
33.6 x 33.6
3.0

D* (cm-Hz1121W)

7x10"

NET (W/cm2) @ 6 msec integration

Integration Time (msec)
Digital Data Resolution (bits)
Output Video Format
NETD (mK) @ 6 msec integration
MRTD @ Nyquist (C) @ 6 msec
integration
Input Power (VDC)
Camera Size (inches)
Camera Weight (lbs.)
Power Dissipation (watts)
Frame Rate (Hz)
Non-Uniformity Correction

18

1x1013

0.2 to 33 (adjustable)
12

RS-343 1023 lines (946 lines displayed) Composite Video

50
0.45
+28.0 VDC Tolerances: +4.0 and 8.0
8 x 6.5 x 17 [h x w x 1]
19.5

75 Nominal
30
Internal (System self calibration at startup)

3. SENSOR PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENTS

The demonstration sensor is equipped with a 31.42 mm focal length, F/3.0 lens. The optical system
provides a field-of-view of 33.6x33.6 with an instantaneous field-of-view of 0.59 mrad. We have
conducted laboratory measurements of key sensor performance parameters with the demonstration sensor.
Details of the measured data and correlation of the results with analytical models are presented in this
section. Unless otherwise specified, the test temperature of the sensor optics was maintained at 292 2K
and the integration period set at 6 msec.

3.1
Signal Transfer Function
Figure 3-1, is a plot of the differential sensor output voltage against temperature change of a uniform
blackbody source. The sensor gain was set at the mid-gain level of 32. The signal transfer function (SiTF)
measured indicates the system has a scene dynamic range of 6 degrees. By interpreting the measured data,
the system SiTF with a 295K background is approximately 0.03 1 Volts/K at the camera composit output.

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SiTF
0.1
A

. 0.05

Cl)

.3

.>

0
A

-u.05
0.1

-
-3

-2

-1

A I (K)

Figure 3-1 Measured (A) SiTF of the Large Format Sensor

3.2 Noise Equivalent Irradiance
Noise equivalent flux irradiance (NET) was measured with the sensor viewing a 100 microradian point
source at background temperatures ranging from 300K to 450K. Figure 3-2, shQws the measured NET
superimposed on the theoretical curve. The NET agreement at 300K is excellent, measuring 1 .0 x 1013
Watts/cm2. Measured NET values above 300K are higher than the theoretical prediction. This may be
caused by excess electronics noise in the demonstration camera and the test equipment. It is expected that
future NET measurements will show improvement in this area when the electronics noise is reduced.

Noise Equivalent Irradiance

1.OOE-11

E 1.OOE-12

1.00E-1
1.OOE-14

300

350

400

450

Background Temperature (K)

Figure 3-2 Experimental (A) and Analytical (--) Results of NEI

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3.3 Noise Equivalent Differential Temperature

Figure 3-3, is a plot of NEDT against integration time, with the background temperature held at 295K. The
theoretical curve is shown together with measured data for comparison. The nominal NETD at 5.82 msec
is 0.048K. The measured NEDT at integration times between 4 and 6 msec match the theoretical curve

while at longer integration times the measured data is slightly better than our models predicted. Short
integration times below 4 msec produce higher NETDs than theoretical primarily due to dominance of
electronics noise.

Noise Equivalent Differential Temperature

0
'

IOO.15
.
G)

G)

I.....

_____________

0.1

0.05

A
I

8 10 12 14 16 18 20

Integration Time (msec)

Figure 3-3. Experimental (z) and Analytical (--) Results on NEDT
3.4 Minimum Resolvable Temperature and Range Performance
Figure 3-4, is a plot of measured MRT, based on three observers, using standard target patterns of various
spatial frequencies. The test results are consistant with the predicted curve. The predicted MRT is O.4C
at the sensor Nyquist frequency of 0.87 cycle/mrad.

Apparent Minimum Resolvable Temperature

1

- - .

h! :;
0.001

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Spatial Frequency (cycle/rn rad)

Figure 3-4. Measured (z\) and Analytical (--) Results on MR

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3.5 High Resolution Image

As examples of the resolution capability of the large format sensor two still-frame images of high
resolution scenes are shown in Figure 3-5. Sensitivity is excellent as can be seen in the image of the
laboratory personnel. Details such as vest pockets are clearly visible in the image. The wide FOV
coverage and resolution is evident in the second image. The image was taken from the second floor with
the sensor pointing about 600 downward at the two trucks yet much of the neighboring building and
parking lot are also in the 33.6 x 33.6 image. A dark area between the Humvee and the building is
evidence that the Humvee was parked at that spot earlier. The yellow striped lines and "No Parking" signs
at the front of the vehicles are also evident in the image. The unexpected dark spot in the Humvee hood
area is actually the radiator circulating water over the top of the engine.

Figure 3-5. 1024x1024-Element Still-Frame Images

4. SYSTEM APPLICATIONS
There are numerous applications for an ultra high resolution infrared camera in commercial, scientific, and
military fields. In the field of thermography the user can apply the higher resolution and sensitivity to
distinguish subtle variations in surface temperatures. Hyperspectral imagers and spectrometers can take
advantage of the large number of rows available for registering distinct spectral lines. Infrared astronomy,
earth mapping, surveillance, and Infrared Search and Track (IRST) systems can all benefit from the higher
resolution and wide field coverage. With the increase in image resolution, finer details of the scenes and
objects of interest can be analyzed and used to identify specific characteristics unattainable with lower
resolution cameras without increasing the optical focal length of the camera. The 1024 x 1024 camera also
allows the user to cover wider fields of view while maintaining high spatial frequency response.

4.1 Implications to System Design

An advantage of using the 1024 x 1024 camera in applications where size or weight are critical design
parameters, is that it allows the system designers to reduce the sensor size by reducing the optics focal
length while maintaining comparable spatial resolution to cameras with smaller arrays. For example, if we
compare the Boeing 640 x 480 focal plane (with a pixel pitch of 27um x 27um) to the Boeing 1024 x 1024
focal plane (with a pixel pitch of l8um x l8um), we see that it is possible to reduce the 1024 camera focal

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length by 33% and be able to achieve the same spatial r,esolution. Depending on the optical design this can
be a significant improvement in size and weight as well as costs of the system.
Field coverage is an important system design factor. In this aspect, the 10242 array can attain an increase in
instantaneous coverage area of 52% compared to a 640 x 480 camera using the same focal length optical
systems. With a step stare system, this will allow the user to reduce the coverage time, on the average over
a large area, by a factor of 52% or to increase sensitivity by dwelling at each step within the field by the

same factor. If the system is background limited and the target is unresolved, this can translate into an

increase in sensitivity of 85%, accounting for both detector area differences and integration time
differences in maintaining the same coverage time.

4.2 Relative System Performance Improvement

For target detection, recognition, surveillance, as well as search and rescue missions there is a distinct
improvement in range performance of the large format sensor over lower resolution cameras if the system
is limited by the resolution of the focal plane. Again, comparing the 1024 x 1024 camera against the 640 x
480 camera, using the same optical design and matching the field of view in the display, it is possible to
show that detection, recognition, and identification ranges for an imaging system can be increased by 75%
with 90% probability. From the end user standpoint this significantly increases the system utility.

Figure 4-1, is a plot of detection ranges for the 1024x1024 array and other standard HgCdTe EPA types.
Detection ranges are normalized to the maximum value achieved by the 1024x1024 array. The FOV, Fnumber, and target signature are held fixed to allow direct comparison of range capability. The advantage
of the large format array in comparison with other standard devices is apparent. At Pd=S, the 1024x 1024
sensor has a range advantage of 1.4x, 1.6x, and 3.8x, respectively, compared to the 640x480 starer, the
480x4 LWIR Gen-2 scanner, and the 256x256 starer.

Detection Performance Comparison

1.2
1
C)

C)

0.6

E 0.4

z0

0.2
0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Detection Probability (P d)

Figure 4-1. Range Comparison Between the 1024x1024 Array and Other HgCdTe Array

Types

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5. SUMMARY
Boeing has developed and successfully demonstrated an ultra high resolution 1024 x 1024 HgCdTe EPA
camera system. Preliminary performance measurements compare very well with theoretical predictions.

With this ultra high resolution camera the system designer has more freedom in addressing the critical

design factors of a system when compared to existing smaller format cameras. Size, weight, and
performance are key parameters that the designer and end user can directly benefit from by integrating this
system into their designs.

Future developments for the 1024 x 1024 camera will incorporate the next generation 2- color HgCdTe
focal plane arrays with micro lenses, which are being developed jointly between Boeing and Rockwell
Science Center, tith the added advantage of improved array yields as well as increased focal plane fill
factor.

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