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Miniaturized Infrared Imaging Camera for Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
79201 		Program Year/Program:
2007 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
F061-221-2091 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Black Forest Engineering, LLC
12930 Morris Trail Colorado Springs, CO -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2007
Title: Miniaturized Infrared Imaging Camera for Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA8650-07-C-1201
Award Amount: $747,202.00
 

Abstract:

Uncooled focal plane array (FPA) technology, based on a-Si:H micro-bolometer thermal detectors, has evolved such that high performance can be achieved with small pixel pitch, large array format and fast thermal time constant. This improved FPA sensor technology allows development of miniaturized infrared video cameras with high sensitivity and spatial resolution to support a wide range of missions. Small pixel pitch allows instantaneous field of view less than 1.0 millirad with short focal lengths and commensurate reduction in the size and weight of the optics suitable for micro-uninhabited aerial vehicles. The predicted noise equivalent temperature difference with F/1.0 optics is less than 30 mK in the LWIR. Advanced CMOS processes for readout integrated circuitry (ROIC), on-ROIC analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and ultra low power CMOS digital signal processing (DSP) and FPGAs allows reduction in camera power to less than 1.5 watts. FPGA conversion to application specific integrated circuitry (ASIC) provides further opportunity for power reduction. In Phase II, Black Forest Engineering will develop a prototype camera system and demonstrate performance from a small airborne platform.

Principal Investigator:

Stephen Gaalema
President
7195939501
sgaalema@bfe.com

Business Contact:

Vivian Wallick
Office Manager
7195939501
vwallick@bfe.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

BLACK FOREST ENGINEERING, LLC
1879 Austin Bluffs Parkway Colorado Springs, CO 80918

EIN/Tax ID: 010700219
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No