Rapid developments in infrared (IR) and electro-optical (EO) systems are crucial to further enhance the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of platforms. The operational conditions of these platforms are getting harsher each day and new technologies must be adapted into these EO/IR systems swiftly to keep up with these challenges. While the performance requirements are increasing, the size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints are becoming more stringent, especially in airborne platforms such as UAVs. Land systems and naval platforms don’t typically use EO/IR systems for the purpose of ISR, but regularly for situational awareness and self-defense. Airborne systems are where EO/IR systems are most used for ISR purposes. Especially with UAVs becoming cost effective and being deployed on longer missions EO/IR systems have become a vital part of UAVs. In both land and naval platforms these EO/IR systems are mostly placed upon a pan-tilt stage; however, on airborne platforms, the EO/IR systems are packaged in a tight gimbal where SWaP is a real issue. Advancements in infrared detector technology such as smaller detector pitch and high operating temperature (HOT) detectors are paving way for compact imagers with high resolution. Folding the optical path using mirrors in continuous zoom systems is a way to reduce the size of the objective which often takes a lot of space. Novel actuation methods have been gradually utilized in these systems. Incorporating all these new technologies and designs is a good way to meet the emerging challenges of EO/IR systems for the purpose of ISR.
Range performance of an imaging system is a key factor for an infrared search and tracking system with a purpose of detection, recognition and identification. Therefore, the prediction of the expected range performance is of utmost importance. The range prediction includes many variables that affect the outcome. Wavelength is one of the most important parameters because it has an enormous effect on range, but detector technology directly related to range performance. In this study, MWIR and LWIR imaging systems in certain configurations are modelled and analyzed in terms of range. The imaging system is modelled taking into account the properties of the detector and the optics, while the atmospheric conditions is modelled using MODTRAN. Analytical expressions for detection, recognition and identification ranges with respect to Johnson criteria for different target types are derived. The effects of the given parameters to the range performance are examined and a comparison between the different wavelengths is discussed.
One of the most important aspects of guided systems is detection. The most convenient detection in the sense of precision can be achieved with a laser spot tracker. This study deals with a military grade, high performance and cost-effective laser spot tracker for a guided system. The aim is to develop a high field of view system that will detect a laser spot from a distance of 3 kilometers in which the target is designated from 3 kilometers with a laser. The study basically consists of the system design, modeling, producing and the conducting performance tests of the whole system.
In this study, the optical performance of a 90 degree prism working in the mid-wave infrared region with the purpose of carrying a beam of light from one optical system to another in an unconventional way is discussed. First, a group of mirrors is considered as a design alternative to lower the overall cost of the system. However, using mirrors greatly increases the diameter of the beam due to the rays coming from wide field of view angles. Another drawback of mirrors is that having separate mirrors requires precise alignment for the system to work at full performance which is difficult for the given application. However, these alignment issues are not valid for a single piece prism. Therefore, a single piece prism is the preferred option and has been taken into account in this study. Material selection is important, especially in the mid-wave infrared region where the index of refraction differs greatly from material to material. Silicon and Germanium are the materials preferred because of their high index of refraction and transmission characteristics. Aside from optical properties, these materials are also considered in terms of manufacturability. Also, options for the coatings to be applied to reflecting surfaces of the prism are discussed with regard to the transmission loss within the system. In order to have total internal reflection within a prism, coatings must be chosen carefully to handle transmission loss at the reflecting surfaces. All of the system parameters are examined using sequential and non-sequential modes of ZEMAX OpticStudio software.
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