NIR imaging guides unmanned vehicles

A Goodrich Optical and Space Systems product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jun 11, 2008

Sensors Unlimited, part of Goodrich Corporation, now offers the NIR/SWIR imaging capability for UAV and UGV (unmanned aerial and ground vehicle) applications.

Sensors Unlimited has released a NIR/SWIR imaging capability for UAV and UGV (unmanned aerial and ground vehicle) applications.

The KT camera family features the new night vision and laser detection capability that images from the NIR (near infra-red) to the SWIR (shortwave infra-red) portion of the spectrum, including what night vision goggles can and cannot see.

Available in small, lightweight, high-sensitivity camera packages with 320 x 256 pixel or 640 x 512 pixel resolution, the compact imagers are ideal for integration into UAV payloads.

New processing techniques allow the systems to see light wavelengths from 0.7 to 1.7 microns.

Traditional night vision cameras can detect wavelengths up to roughly 1.0 microns.

NIR/SWIR's expanded capabilities allow the end user to detect and track a wide range of military lasers.

Because InGaAs (indium gallium arsenide) night vision (NV) technology detects light, unlike today's small thermal NV cameras that detect heat signatures, Goodrich's compact NIR/SWIR cameras provide clarity in both day and night conditions, from partial starlight to direct sun illumination.

The tiny imagers use the company's indium gallium arsenide-night vision (InGaAs-NV) technology to detect and track a broad range of battlefield infra-red lasers with heightened night and day time sensitivity.

The KT cameras are suited for integration into night vision and laser detection systems on unmanned vehicles, rifle scopes, precision-guided munitions and hostile fire indicators.