Advanced Experimental Design and Modeling and Simulation for Testing Large Format Sensor Arrays

ABSTRACT:nou Systems proposes an innovative analysis and test methodology for testing space-based high-resolution wide field-of-view (WFOV) focal plane arrays (FPAs). Current space sensor test facilities are incapable of fully testing state-of-the-art high-resolution WFOV sensors without infrastructure modifications. The test methodology described in this proposal focuses on testing only a subset of the FPA, along with the necessary analysis to validate the approach of using FPA characteristics from the tested portion to characterize the entire FPA. Once the entire is FPA is adequately characterized using statistics from the subset of the FPA, a test methodology is described that enables the testing of a sensor under mission conditions.BENEFIT:The work under this SBIR proposal will provide a testing methodology for focal plane arrays whose properties exceed the capabilities of current test facility infrastructure. In addition to enabling testing of these focal plane arrays, the methodology is also applicable to validation of Models and Simulations. Commercialization potential includes testing of focal planes for both government and commercial space sensors, as well as in the areas of medical imaging and surveillance.