Nova Research, Inc. DBA Nova Sensors — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: Readout integrated circuit (ROIC) designers at Nova Sensors are developing a 768 x 512 pix

Description

Readout integrated circuit (ROIC) designers at Nova Sensors are developing a 768 x 512 pixel"High Dynamic Range Array"(HIDRA) ROIC that is optimally matched to operate today"s high performance indium antimonide (InSb) mid-wave infrared (MWIR) detector arrays. In addition, unlike conventional ROICs for infrared applications, it will not saturate when exposed to radiance levels produced by very bright targets. It incorporates a capacitive transimpedance amplifier (CTIA) input amplifier stage that produces optimized performance when used with an InSb photovoltaic detector array. Preliminary estimates indicate that the ROIC-contributed noise should be<30e- when operated in its"linear"mode of operation. The extremely high speed readout structure of the device, combined with our use of the highest-performance InSb detector material currently available will produce a system that satisfies the demanding requirements of MWIR focal plane arrays (FPAs) that must operate in the presence of high-flux jamming illumination conditions. Nova Sensors proposes a design/utilization trade study based on the existence of the ROIC currently in design/development on another SBIR project. The Phase 2 effort will develop/test and deliver the resulting anti-jamming imaging system. BENEFIT: The highest possible performance of a MWIR imager in the presence of jamming illumination sources will be achieved in this effort. The resulting system will have wide applicability to space-based and aircraft missions where high flux levels that would otherwise saturate conventional MWIR FPAs will be tolerated.