Scene Projector
Under a 2007 US Navy SBIR contract we
developed a two-band midwave infrared
(MWIR) scene projector for training and
testing a host of different IR imaging and
threat detection systems. Of particular
importance for this effort was the ability to
independently control the relative intensities
on a per-pixel basis of the two spectral bands
which we loosely call blue (3-4 m) and red
(4-5 m). Our scene projector enables test
simulations that are spectrally,
radiometrically, spatially, and temporally
accurate with better uniformity and pixel
operability and higher apparent temperatures
than competing IR scene projectors based on
resistive or diode arrays. Moreover, the
scene generating element – the digital
micromirror device (DMD) supports the
ability to project over the entire optical
spectral range from the ultraviolet (< 250
nm) through the longwave infrared (>12m).
We are presently developing the next
generation IR scene projector with enhanced
dynamic range in the form of infinite bitdepth independent of frame rate and
improved contrast (4000:1). Historically
DMD-based IR scene projectors have been
limited by an inherent tradeoff between bitdepth and frame rate and also contrast –
particularly in the IR spectral range where
diffraction and instrument radiance are larger
contributions to background energy.
OPTRA’s high dynamic range scene
projector (HIDRA SP) design has effectively
broken the bit-depth/frame rate tradeoff and
dramatically improved the contrast by
employing a structured illumination solution.
Contact OPTRA today to discuss how our
DMD-based scene projector technology can
solve your specific application need.
CONTACT INFORMATION
OPTRA, Inc.
461 Boston St
Topsfield, MA 01983 USA
Phone: 978-887-6600
www.optra.com
Fax: 978-887-0022
[email protected]
Two-Band MWIR SBIR Prototype with and without cover
Concept of Operation – the SUT is positioned such that its entrance pupil
is overlayed with the exit pupil of the scene projector
Technical Specifications
SPEC
PHASE
HIDRA
II
SP
Band #1
3.4-4.2
3-4.1
Band #2
4.2-5
4.1-5
FOV
1.91
90
Frame Size
768 cir.
768 cir.
Optical Resolution
5m
217 
Frame Rate for > 12-bits
10
100
Projected BB Temp.
785
850
Contrast Ratio
250:1
4000:1
UNITS
m
m
°
pixels
rad
Hz
K
-
Example Projected Scenes (recorded with FLIR SC4000)