SBIR-STTR Award

Clip-On Thermal Imagers (COTIs) have greatly increased the utility of night vision goggles (NVGs). Fusion of thermal and image intensified imagery has improved the warfighter's ability to quickly detect and then target or record potential targets and threats. Current generation COTIs are unity magnification systems optimized to work with unity magnification optical systems. Modifying the design of the COTI to add thermal magnification while maintaining alignment of the fused imagery and minimizing loss of resolution, contrast, and sensitivity will make it possible to equip high and/or variable magnification optical systems with a Clip-On Thermal Imager. In Phase I, Diffraction LTD and its partner Optics 1 will identify viable concepts for achieving a Variable Magnification Clip-On Thermal Imager (VM-COTI), analyze the performance of those conceptual designs, and analyze the performance impact on the optical systems that they’ll be used with. The analysis will quantify the expected performance of the various VM-COTI designs with regards to a number of key performance parameters. The optimal design will be identified and pursued in a follow-on Phase II effort.

Keywords:
Clip-On Thermal Imager, Coti, Image Fusion, Variable Magnification, Nvg, Thermal

In Phase 2, Diffraction LTD, in collaboration with Optics 1, proposes to develop a variable magnification clip-on thermal imager (VM-COTI) that will be compatible with a variety of weapon and head mounted optical systems ranging from 1X night vision goggles (NVGs) to 5X ACOG scopes. The VM-COTI will be a flexible design that can be used as a clip-on fusing full field of view thermal imagery with its host system or standalone as a handheld, weapon mounted, or head mounted fused thermal/direct view imager with 5X zoom capability. The VM-COTI will use a zoom thermal objective lens and a variable focal length eyepiece to match both the magnification and field of view of various host systems. Optics 1?s modular eyepiece technology will enable rapid reconfiguration of the VM-COTI from short eye relief for compatibility with NVGs and weapon sights to long eye relief for use with red dot or holographic sights or for standalone use. Both 320 x 240 and 640 x 480 thermal cores will be offered. A sophisticated video processor will enable white hot/black hot, outline mode, and enhanced thermal beacon detection. Three prototypes will be delivered for customer test and evaluation.

Keywords:
Coti, Clip-On Thermal Imager, Thermal, Image Fusion, Variable Magnification, Night Vision