Infrared (IR) Sensors
Nu-Trek specializes in game-changing readout integrated circuits (ROICs) for infrared (IR) sensors. ROICs currently under development include advanced ROICs for thermal, uncooled sensors (Chestnut and Chinkapin), a very low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP/C) front end/ROIC for gamma and neutron detectors, White Oak, a ROIC for a space sensor based on DARPA's ReImagine technology, and the event based ROIC applique, Loblolly.
Nu-Trek specializes in game-changing readout integrated circuits (ROICs) for infrared (IR) sensors. ROICs currently under development include advanced ROICs for thermal, uncooled sensors (Chestnut and Chinkapin), a very low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP/C) front end/ROIC for gamma and neutron detectors, White Oak, a ROIC for a space sensor based on DARPA's ReImagine technology, and the event based ROIC applique, Loblolly.
The OxO Program supports the development and testing of advanced digital readout integrated circuit (ROIC), for thermal, uncooled sensors. Shown is the bonding diagram of the Chestnut 12 µm digital ROIC.
A soldier dons the integrated visual augmentation system (IVAS), one of the low SWaP/C applications targeted by the Chinkapin ROIC.
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Uncooled programs, Chestnut, Chinkapin, and OxO
In the Army Chestnut program, Nu-Trek developed an advanced 12 µm pixel pitch, digital ROIC, for thermal, uncooled, sensors. When implemented in thermal camera cores, the Chestnut 12 µm ROIC technology will offer significantly improved performance over 12 µm pixel pitch thermal sensors on the market today. In the Chinkapin program, Nu-Trek will develop an 8µm pixel pitch, digital ROIC, for thermal, uncooled, sensors. When implemented in thermal camera cores, the 8 µm ROIC technology will offer reduced SWaP)/C in comparison to the 12 µm pixel pitch thermal sensors on the market today. In addition to reducing soldiers' loadout, it will enable utilization of long wave infrared (LWIR) imaging in SWaP/C constrained platforms that presently cannot afford the weight and volume of a cooled LWIR sensor. OxO is an Army program that supports the development and testing of advanced 8 µm pixel pitch (Chinkapin) and 12 µm pixel pitch (Chestnut) digital ROIC, for thermal, uncooled, sensors. Key objectives of this program include design verification testing (DVT) of key circuits prior to re-use and developing specifications that will support broad utilization of the ROICs under development for thermal sensors. Wondering about the name OxO? The program is named in honor of the oxalate oxidase (OxO) enzyme which gives Chestnut trees (the basis of the name of one of our other programs) substantial, much needed blight resistance. |
Front ends/ROICs for gamma and neutron detectors, Magnolia
In the Magnolia Phase II SBIR program, Nu-Trek will develop the µDet, a low SWaP/C ROIC for gamma and neuron detectors. The µDet will offer pulse shape digitization, which in turn enables gamma-neutron discrimination. This is a game-changing capability that brings laboratory-level functionality to the field.
The figure illustrates a system implementation of the µDet in a portable radiation analyzer. The µDet will interface with any photomultiplier (PM), scintillator, or solid state detector, and directly digitizes the detector output, providing laboratory-level performance in a handheld device.
In the Magnolia Phase II SBIR program, Nu-Trek will develop the µDet, a low SWaP/C ROIC for gamma and neuron detectors. The µDet will offer pulse shape digitization, which in turn enables gamma-neutron discrimination. This is a game-changing capability that brings laboratory-level functionality to the field.
The figure illustrates a system implementation of the µDet in a portable radiation analyzer. The µDet will interface with any photomultiplier (PM), scintillator, or solid state detector, and directly digitizes the detector output, providing laboratory-level performance in a handheld device.
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Event based ROICs, Loblolly
Central to the Loblolly program is taking an existing ROIC and adding an event based sensing capability using an applique. The figure illustrates how the Loblolly event based sensing applique will “extract” and “output” information on transient events, such as small arms fire. This information may be used to feed autonomous detection algorithms or alert the user to features of interest. With this added information, the timeline to detect and engage targets is shortened leading to increased lethality. |
Smart, 3D integrated sensors, White Oak
In this program our team will develop a radiation hardened short wavelength infrared/medium wavelength infrared (SWIR/MWIR) space-based sensor. The focal plane array (FPA) is based on DARPAs ReImagine technology, which offers substantial computational resources, enabling sensors that will be more multi-functional and computationally intensive than ever before.
In this program our team will develop a radiation hardened short wavelength infrared/medium wavelength infrared (SWIR/MWIR) space-based sensor. The focal plane array (FPA) is based on DARPAs ReImagine technology, which offers substantial computational resources, enabling sensors that will be more multi-functional and computationally intensive than ever before.