SBIR-STTR Award

OPTRA proposes the development of a three-band visible (VIS), shortwave infrared (SWIR), and midwave infrared (MWIR) high dynamic range digital micromirror device (DMD)-based scene projector incorporating OPTRA?s patented structured illumination technique for achieving low background scene projection and high contrast at high frame rates with the associated short integration times. This approach will use two source-conditioning DMDs operating in binary mode to illuminate three projector DMDs operating in either binary or PWM grayscale mode. One projector DMD is used for each spectral channel, and one source conditioning DMD is used for the VIS and SWIR channels and the other for the MWIR channel. Dichroics are used to produce a spatially registered total projected image which is high in contrast owing to the structured illumination and is also effectively analog owing to the binary illumination patterns which appear spatially grayscaled due to low pass spatial filtering by relay optics; these qualities are independent of frame rate and the associated integration time of the unit under test. The proposed solution also has a flicker-free mode where all DMDs are operated in binary mode.

Benefit:
The proposed solution offers high contrast, infinite bit-depth scene projection at high frame rates and over three spectral bands as well as excellent uniformity and 100% pixel operability. Applications include training and test of visible through midwave infrared imagers and threat detectors.

Keywords:
Digital Micromirror Device, Vis, Swir, Mwir,Scene Projector, High Dynamic Range

OPTRA is proposing to design, build and test a dual-band infrared scene projector based on digital micromirror device (DMD) technology. DMDs are an ideal spatial modulator for scene projection applications that require high frame rates and fast radiance rise/fall times. DMDs offer further advantages of applicability in the spectral regions from ultraviolet through mid-wave infrared, and are commercially available off-the-shelf items. During the Phase I effort, OPTRA developed an innovative means of using DMDs to generate flickerless grayscale images thereby effectively addressing a common criticism of this scene projection technology. Provisional specifications call for operation in the 3-5µm spectral region with future extension into the visible region. The OPTRA scene projector will use innovative OPTRA techniques to eliminate the temporal intensity modulation associated with PWM. The Phase II prototype will offer >6-bits grayscale resolution, 22kHz frame rates, 300µW/(cm2?sr) pupil radiance and radiance rise and fall times on the order of several microseconds. The scene projector proposed herein will generate dynamic accurate simulations of operational scenes relevant to the testing of a wide array of sensors, with potential extension into next generation sensor test technology.

Benefits:
The scene projector proposed herein will be able to generate dynamic accurate simulations of operational scenes relevant to the testing of a wide array of sensors currently under development, with potential extension into next generation sensor test technology.

Keywords:
Scene Projector, infrared, HWIL, DMD, MWIR, VIS, UV, contrast, flickerless, kHz frame rate