公开(公告)号：US20150116564A1

公开(公告)日：2015-04-30

申请号：US14064161

申请日：2013-10-27

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/347

CPC classification number: H04N5/3355 ,  H04N1/2112 ,  H04N5/33 ,  H04N5/3742 ,  H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: By adding stabilization and super-sampling to a digital pixel readout integrated circuit (ROIC), line of sight motion, that is usually costly and difficult to control, instead becomes an ally, doubling the effective FPA resolution in some systems. The base repartitioned digital pixel architecture supplements analog signal accumulation with off-pixel digital accumulation, greatly increasing dynamic range. Adding address mapping and increasing the ratio of memory locations to pixels, enables stabilization and resolution enhancement. Additional stabilization at sub-frame intervals limits the effect of latency and simplifies complex address mapping. Pixels gains are compensated in-ROIC, without requiring multipliers. A unique partitioning of functions between the ROIC and subsequent logic allows pixel biases and non-isomorphic sampling effects to be compensated off-ROIC, reducing overall system complexity and power.

Abstract translation: 通过向数字像素读出集成电路（ROIC）添加稳定和超采样，通常成本高且难以控制的视线运动变为盟友，在一些系统中增加了有效的FPA分辨率。 基本重新分配的数字像素架构补充了离散像素数字累积的模拟信号累加，大大增加了动态范围。 添加地址映射并增加内存位置与像素的比例，可实现稳定和分辨率的提升。 子帧间隔的额外稳定限制了延迟的影响，简化了复杂的地址映射。 像素增益在ROIC中得到补偿，而不需要乘法器。 ROIC和后续逻辑之间功能的独特划分允许像素偏移和非同构采样效应在ROIC之外被补偿，从而降低整体系统的复杂性和功耗。

公开(公告)号：US09335218B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-10

申请号：US14312338

申请日：2014-06-23

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: G01J5/20 ,  G01J5/24 ,  G01J5/00

CPC classification number: G01J5/20 ,  G01J5/24 ,  G01J5/58 ,  G01J2005/0048 ,  G01J2005/0077 ,  G01J2005/202 ,  G01J2005/583

Abstract: A digital bolometer architecture provides dynamic control of a simultaneous integration time for all pixels, with a temporal response that is more uniform than conventional bolometers and lacks frame cross-talk from decay tails, and which supports sub-frame measurement for on readout computational imaging. This is accomplished by replacing resistive pixel temperature sensing with continuous optical interferometric measurement and subsequent signal accumulation. Balanced reference sensors allow rejection of temperature differences across the thermal sink. The thermal time constant of the pixels is substantially reduced and the lost SNR is recovered by integration of the measured signals, using a programmable integration time.

Abstract translation: 数字测辐射热计结构提供对所有像素的同时积分时间的动态控制，其时间响应比传统测辐射热谱仪更均匀，并且缺乏衰减尾部的帧串扰，并且支持读出计算成像的子帧测量。 这是通过用连续光学干涉测量和随后的信号积累代替电阻像素温度感测来实现的。 平衡参考传感器允许排除散热器两端的温差。 使用可编程积分时间，像素的热时间常数显着降低，并通过集成测量信号来恢复丢失的SNR。

公开(公告)号：US20150369670A1

公开(公告)日：2015-12-24

申请号：US14312338

申请日：2014-06-23

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: G01J5/20 ,  G01J5/24

CPC classification number: G01J5/20 ,  G01J5/24 ,  G01J5/58 ,  G01J2005/0048 ,  G01J2005/0077 ,  G01J2005/202 ,  G01J2005/583

Abstract: A digital bolometer architecture provides dynamic control of a simultaneous integration time for all pixels, with a temporal response that is more uniform than conventional bolometers and lacks frame cross-talk from decay tails, and which supports sub-frame measurement for on readout computational imaging. This is accomplished by replacing resistive pixel temperature sensing with continuous optical interferometric measurement and subsequent signal accumulation. Balanced reference sensors allow rejection of temperature differences across the thermal sink. The thermal time constant of the pixels is substantially reduced and the lost SNR is recovered by integration of the measured signals, using a programmable integration time.

Abstract translation: 数字测辐射热计结构提供对所有像素的同时积分时间的动态控制，其时间响应比传统测辐射热谱仪更均匀，并且缺乏衰减尾部的帧串扰，并且支持读出计算成像的子帧测量。 这是通过用连续光学干涉测量和随后的信号积累代替电阻像素温度感测来实现的。 平衡参考传感器允许排除散热器两端的温差。 使用可编程积分时间，像素的热时间常数显着降低，并通过集成测量信号来恢复丢失的SNR。

公开(公告)号：US09442185B2

公开(公告)日：2016-09-13

申请号：US14267302

申请日：2014-05-01

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: G06K19/06 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01C19/48

CPC classification number: G01S7/4817 ,  G01C19/48 ,  Y10T74/1264

Abstract: A ball gimbal electro-optic system comprises a ball gimbal mounted on a platform. The gimbal includes a socket mounted on the platform and an inner ball captured within the socket and free to rotate about combinations of three orthogonal axes to point a pointing axis. A directional electro-optic element is mounted within the inner ball to transmit or receive an optical beam along the pointing axis. A spherical planar motor comprises a plurality of two-dimensional drive elements configured to apply non-contacting electro-magnetic forces in planes tangential to the inner ball at at least two control points on different diameters of the inner ball in commanded two-dimensional directions within the tangential planes to rotate the inner ball within the socket to point the pointing axis. In different embodiments, the spherical planar motor may be configured as a spherical planar DC motor or a spherical planar induction motor. Other systems such as power, ball position readout and data I/O may also be configured as “non-contacting” systems to maintain the inertial stabilization of the inner ball.

Abstract translation: 一种球万向电光系统包括安装在平台上的球万向节。 万向节包括安装在平台上的插座和捕获在插座内的内球，并且围绕三个正交轴的组合自由旋转以指向指向轴。 定向电光元件安装在内球内以沿着指向轴传送或接收光束。 球面平面电动机包括多个二维驱动元件，其被配置为在内球的不同直径的至少两个控制点上以指令的二维方向在指定的二维方向上施加与内球相切的平面中的非接触电磁力 切向平面，以使内球在套筒内旋转以指向指向轴。 在不同的实施例中，球形平面电动机可以被配置为球形平面DC电动机或球面平面感应电动机。 诸如功率，球位置读数和数据I / O的其他系统也可以被配置为“非接触”系统，以保持内球的惯性稳定性。

公开(公告)号：US09372340B2

公开(公告)日：2016-06-21

申请号：US14267437

申请日：2014-05-01

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: G02B7/182 ,  G02B26/08 ,  F42B15/01 ,  G02B7/00 ,  G01B11/27 ,  F41G7/22

CPC classification number: G02B26/08 ,  F16C11/06 ,  F41G7/2293 ,  G01B11/27 ,  G01B11/272 ,  G02B7/005 ,  G02B7/1821 ,  G02B7/1827 ,  G02B26/0816

Abstract: A ball joint gimbal imaging system includes on-gimbal optics that reimage a front optical aperture to a smaller back optical aperture that moves with the rotation of the inner ball. Relay optics are configured to relay the back optical aperture to an electro-optic component mounted on the platform, off-gimbal. Relay optics includes a first two-axis steering element (on or off-gimbal) that is positioned and sized to cover the range of motion of the beam from the back optical aperture across the range of gimbal motion. The first two-axis steering element is controlled to steer the optical beam passing through the back optical aperture into a second off-gimbal two-axis steering element that is controlled to tilt the optical beam to align light along the central axis of the electro-optic element with the central axis of the front optical aperture on the inner ball, which is coincident with the gimbal pointing axis.

Abstract translation: 球形联合万向节成像系统包括在万向节光学器件上，其将前光学孔径重新映射到随着内球旋转而移动的较小背光孔。 继电器光学器件被配置为将背光学孔径中继到安装在平台上的电光元件，万用的。 继电器光学元件包括第一个双轴转向元件（开/关万用），其位置和尺寸适于覆盖跨越万向节运动范围的后光孔的光束的运动范围。 第一双轴转向元件被控制以将通过后光学孔径的光束转向第二离开万向节两轴操纵元件，所述第二离开万向节两轴操纵元件被控制以使光束倾斜以沿着电 - 光学元件具有内球上的前光孔的中心轴线，其与万向点指向轴重合。

公开(公告)号：US20150316761A1

公开(公告)日：2015-11-05

申请号：US14267437

申请日：2014-05-01

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: G02B26/08 ,  G01B11/27 ,  G02B7/00

CPC classification number: G02B26/08 ,  F16C11/06 ,  F41G7/2293 ,  G01B11/27 ,  G01B11/272 ,  G02B7/005 ,  G02B7/1821 ,  G02B7/1827 ,  G02B26/0816

Abstract: A ball joint gimbal imaging system includes on-gimbal optics that reimage a front optical aperture to a smaller back optical aperture that moves with the rotation of the inner ball. Reimaging to the smaller back optical aperture may reduce the packaging volume required for the relay optics. Relay optics are configured to relay the back optical aperture to an electro-optic component mounted on the platform, off-gimbal. A relay optics system includes a first two-axis steering element that is positioned and sized to cover the range of motion of the beam from the back optical aperture across the range of gimbal motion. The first two-axis steering element is controlled to steer the optical beam passing through the back optical aperture into a second two-axis steering element that is controlled to tilt the optical beam to align light along the central axis of the electro-optic element substantially with the central axis of the front optical aperture on the inner ball, which is coincident with the gimbal pointing axis. The first steering element may be mounted either on or off-gimbal. The second steering element is mounted off-gimbal on the platform.

Abstract translation: 球形联合万向节成像系统包括在万向节光学器件上，其将前光学孔径重新映射到随着内球旋转而移动的较小背光孔。 对较小背光孔进行成像可能会降低中继光学器件所需的封装体积。 继电器光学器件被配置为将背光学孔径中继到安装在平台上的电光元件，万用的。 中继光学系统包括第一双轴转向元件，该第一双轴操纵元件的定位和尺寸被设计成覆盖横梁横向运动范围内的后光孔的光束的运动范围。 控制第一双轴转向元件以将通过后光学孔的光束转向第二双轴操纵元件，该第二双轴操纵元件被控制以使光束倾斜以将光沿着电光元件的中心轴基本上对准 其中内球上的前光学孔的中心轴线与万向节指向轴线重合。 第一转向元件可以安装在或不在万向节上。 第二转向元件在平台上安装在万向节上。

公开(公告)号：US09167180B1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-20

申请号：US14324648

申请日：2014-07-07

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams ,  Martin S. Denham

IPC: H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N1/21 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/3355 ,  H04N1/2112 ,  H04N5/33 ,  H04N5/3742 ,  H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: The accumulation of registered sub-frame residuals in an address-mapped repartitioned digital pixel matches the intensity resolution (dynamic range) to the spatial resolution of the image. The digital accumulation of pixel quantization events (QEs) is extended to include sub-frame residuals. After all QEs are digitally accumulated, then removed from the analog accumulator, an analog residual value remains. Residual capture logic is configured to trigger residual digitization logic at least twice per frame interval for selected pixels to capture, digitize and then clear the residual value on the storage device. Memory update logic is configured to accumulate the quantization event digital values and residual digital values into existing digital values at the address-mapped memory locations in digital memory. Resolution enhancement is enabled by an address mapping that maps a one-pixel spacing on the detector to two or more pixel spacing in the digital memory.

Abstract translation: 注册的子帧残差在地址映射重新划分的数字像素中的累积将强度分辨率（动态范围）与图像的空间分辨率相匹配。 像素量化事件（QE）的数字累积被扩展到包括子帧残差。 在所有QE数字累积后，从模拟累加器中取出，剩余模拟残留值。 剩余捕获逻辑被配置为针对所选择的像素触发残差数字化逻辑至少两帧，以便捕获，数字化然后清除存储设备上的剩余值。 存储器更新逻辑被配置为在数字存储器中的地址映射存储器位置处将量化事件数字值和残余数字值累加为现有数字值。 通过地址映射来实现分辨率增强，地址映射将检测器上的一个像素间隔映射到数字存储器中的两个或更多个像素间距。

公开(公告)号：US09094628B2

公开(公告)日：2015-07-28

申请号：US14064161

申请日：2013-10-27

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/347

CPC classification number: H04N5/3355 ,  H04N1/2112 ,  H04N5/33 ,  H04N5/3742 ,  H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: By adding stabilization and super-sampling to a digital pixel readout integrated circuit (ROIC), line of sight motion, that is usually costly and difficult to control, instead becomes an ally, doubling the effective FPA resolution in some systems. The base repartitioned digital pixel architecture supplements analog signal accumulation with off-pixel digital accumulation, greatly increasing dynamic range. Adding address mapping and increasing the ratio of memory locations to pixels, enables stabilization and resolution enhancement. Additional stabilization at sub-frame intervals limits the effect of latency and simplifies complex address mapping. Pixels gains are compensated in-ROIC, without requiring multipliers. A unique partitioning of functions between the ROIC and subsequent logic allows pixel biases and non-isomorphic sampling effects to be compensated off-ROIC, reducing overall system complexity and power.

Abstract translation: 通过向数字像素读出集成电路（ROIC）添加稳定和超采样，通常成本高且难以控制的视线运动变为盟友，在一些系统中增加了有效的FPA分辨率。 基本重新分配的数字像素架构补充了离散像素数字累积的模拟信号累加，大大增加了动态范围。 添加地址映射并增加内存位置与像素的比例，可实现稳定和分辨率的提升。 子帧间隔的额外稳定限制了延迟的影响，简化了复杂的地址映射。 像素增益在ROIC中得到补偿，而不需要乘法器。 ROIC和后续逻辑之间功能的独特划分允许像素偏移和非同构采样效应在ROIC之外被补偿，从而降低整体系统的复杂性和功耗。

公开(公告)号：US20150316376A1

公开(公告)日：2015-11-05

申请号：US14267302

申请日：2014-05-01

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: G01C19/28 ,  G01C19/48

CPC classification number: G01S7/4817 ,  G01C19/48 ,  Y10T74/1264

Abstract: A ball gimbal electro-optic system comprises a ball gimbal mounted on a platform. The gimbal includes a socket mounted on the platform and an inner ball captured within the socket and free to rotate about combinations of three orthogonal axes to point a pointing axis. A directional electro-optic element is mounted within the inner ball to transmit or receive an optical beam along the pointing axis. A spherical planar motor comprises a plurality of two-dimensional drive elements configured to apply non-contacting electro-magnetic forces in planes tangential to the inner ball at at least two control points on different diameters of the inner ball in commanded two-dimensional directions within the tangential planes to rotate the inner ball within the socket to point the pointing axis. In different embodiments, the spherical planar motor may be configured as a spherical planar DC motor or a spherical planar induction motor. Other systems such as power, ball position readout and data I/O may also be configured as “non-contacting” systems to maintain the inertial stabilization of the inner ball.

Abstract translation: 一种球万向电光系统包括安装在平台上的球万向节。 万向节包括安装在平台上的插座和捕获在插座内的内球，并且围绕三个正交轴的组合自由旋转以指向指向轴。 定向电光元件安装在内球内以沿着指向轴传送或接收光束。 球面平面电动机包括多个二维驱动元件，其被配置为在内球的不同直径的至少两个控制点上以指令的二维方向在指定的二维方向上施加与内球相切的平面中的非接触电磁力 切向平面，以使内球在套筒内旋转以指向指向轴。 在不同的实施例中，球形平面电动机可以被配置为球形平面DC电动机或球面平面感应电动机。 诸如功率，球位置读数和数据I / O的其他系统也可以被配置为“非接触”系统，以保持内球的惯性稳定性。

公开(公告)号：US09167239B2

公开(公告)日：2015-10-20

申请号：US14025727

申请日：2013-09-12

Applicant: Raytheon Company

Inventor： Darin S. Williams

IPC: H04N17/00

CPC classification number: H04N17/002

Abstract: Embodiments of a system for characterization of an imaging sensor using a moving modulated target with unmodulated position references is generally described herein. A target pattern comprises through-holes in a slide and resolved patches on the slide. The slide and patch have different emission intensities in the sensor' detection band. A modulation is applied to only the emission intensities of the through-holes. The target pattern is moved across the field-of view (FOV) of the imaging sensor to present the target pattern across different frames at different positions. Frames of images of the moving target pattern as seen in the FOV of the imaging sensor are captured to generate modulated image data outputs. The unmodulated position references provided by the resolved patches are measured and used to align the modulated image data outputs, which are processed to generate data products representative of a response of the imaging sensor.

Abstract translation: 本文通常描述用于表征使用具有未调制位置参考的移动调制目标的成像传感器的系统的实施例。 目标图案包括幻灯片中的通孔和幻灯片上的分辨的贴片。 传感器检测带中的载玻片和贴片具有不同的发射强度。 只对通孔的发射强度进行调制。 目标图案被移动穿过成像传感器的视场（FOV），以在不同位置上呈现不同帧的目标图案。 捕获在成像传感器的FOV中看到的移动目标图案的图像帧以产生调制图像数据输出。 由分辨的贴片提供的未调制的位置参考被测量并用于对准被调制的图像数据输出，其被处理以产生表示成像传感器的响应的数据产品。