SBIR-STTR Award

Relume Corporation has developed a series of commercial, proprietary light emitting diode [LED] technologies that have direct military applications: Including night vision enhancement, convoy communication and covert I.F.F. systems. Using our proprietary high performance adhesive to insulated metal substrate process for LED illuminators, Relume has been able to demonstrate a three to four fold increase in luminous output over conventional approaches with a dramatic improvement in life, lower production costs and increased reliability. When combined with our proprietary pulse modulation technology, we are able to produce high power, secure signaling lamps for either visible or infrared applications. Large arrays of high output LEDs are particularly vulnerable to degradation, as it becomes increasingly difficult to shed heat from such dense arrays. Without aggressive cooling means, large LED arrays have degraded rapidly in hot climates. Using advanced adhesives, proprietary metal circuit construction and economical screen printing methods Relume is able to achieve very robust, highly efficient LED arrays. With this highly aggressive thermal management Relume's LED arrays can be pulsed at very high intensities permitting very long distance secure communication links. Benefits of the proposed technology apply to both military and commercial LED applications. Examples include: High output, robust LED illuminators for battlefield illumination and covert night vision use. LED exterior lighting for military and commercial vehicles that permit digital communication. Vehicular and aircraft beacons including robust runway lights. Transportable programmable displays and medical light therapy devices

Relume Corporation has developed a series of commercial, proprietary light emitting diode [LED] technologies that have direct military applications: Including night vision enhancement, convoy communication and covert I.F.F. systems. Using our proprietary high performance adhesive to insulated metal substrate process for LED illuminators, Relume has been able to demonstrate a three to four fold increase in luminous output over conventional approaches with a dramatic improvement in life, lower production costs and increased reliability. When combined with our pulse modulation technology, we are able to produce high power, secure signaling lamps for either visible or infrared applications. Conventional large arrays of high output LEDs are particularly vulnerable to degradation, as it becomes increasingly difficult to shed heat from such dense arrays. Without aggressive cooling means, large LED arrays have degraded rapidly in hot climates. Using advanced adhesives, proprietary metal circuit construction and economical screen printing methods, Relume is able to achieve very robust, highly efficient LED arrays. With this highly aggressive thermal management, Relume’s LED arrays can be pulsed at very high intensities permitting very long distance secure communication links. In Phase I a high output modular array was fabricated using this process. This array was digitally modulated for optical communication with a Relume handheld receiver. Relume’s advanced LED arrays demonstrated a factor of four increase in luminous output over conventional approaches proving the feasibility this technology. Phase II will pursue advanced development of this technology to increase array output, allow encrypted burst-mode communications, and to develop pilot optical IFF systems and inter-convoy communications. The functional parts of these systems will be modular and interchangeable.

Benefits:
Relume’s adhesive to insulated metal substrate process allows, for the first time, the capability to produce cost effective, very high intensity, monochromatic light arrays. By thermally managing the self generated heat produced by the LEDs, Relume’s arrays can operate at greater than four times the recommended LED current with four times the light output without any degradation. Existing LED lights are prone to failure even when they are operated at "normal" recommended currents, unless equipped with external cooling systems which add to cost, size and mechanical complexity. These arrays can be fabricated with either visible LEDs or with invisible IR LEDs for covert operation. In many applications, these arrays can replace standard incandescent, florescent or even laser illuminators on the battlefield. Using Relume’s optical modulation techniques and associated receiver, high-speed, burst-mode encrypted communications is possible up to several kilometers using the same illuminator array. This fabrication process produces a product that is inherently more rugged than traditional lighting systems while at the same time can be conformed to fit the shape of a vehicle or light mounting system. It will pass all military specifications at a lower cost than current lighting systems and emits approximately only 10 percent of current vehicle lighting systems’ heat signatures. Exterior vehicle lighting can be fabricated as stand-alone lighting or in combination with Relume’s pulse-coding optical modulation techniques for inter-vehicle communications. The first generation of this technology has already been tested as an exterior lighting system on the Army’s new Smart Truck, as taillights on commercial vehicles, as emergency stop signage for school busses and currently under test as interior aircraft lighting. Since these arrays are inherently weatherproof, other commercial applications could include aircraft landing lights, naval and commercial ship lighting, search and rescue beacons and of course battlefield illuminators for IFF systems and night vision jamming systems.

Keywords:
LED, IFF, Secure Communications, Thermal Management, Metal Substrates, Encryption, Illuminator