SENSEEKER CORP — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A20-120

Description

The Army makes extensive use of uncooled microbolometer sensors in a variety of equipment. It would be advantageous to reduce the pixel pitch from today’s standard of 12 µm to a smaller pitch in order to enable smaller, lighter optics for a given field of view (FOV). The smaller pixel pitch will enable a reduction in system size, weight and power consumption (SWaP). Senseeker proposes to develop an innovative microbolometer readout IC with an 8 µm pixel pitch that will enable a significant improvement in imaging performance and SWaP over the larger pixel pitch solutions that are available today. This readout design will include advanced features to provide improved dynamic range and noise performance over existing microbolometer readout solutions. Senseeker’s experience in developing high performance compact readout ICs will be fully engaged to implement innovative design features that will facilitate the highest possible performance for an 8 µm pixel, 1280 x 1024 array readout IC. This small pixel design will include high frame rate of > 240 fps, snapshot integrate-while-read, dual-integration high dynamic range mode, multiple high-speed windowing capability, a range of noise reduction techniques and low power operating modes. The availability of these features on an 8 µm microbolometer readout IC is a significant step forward with respect to state-of-the-art.  Senseeker will work with a leading US microbolometer manufacturer to ensure that the advanced readout IC is compatible with the latest technology microbolometers that will be available to process with the readout IC.