Status of focal plane arrays (FPAs) for space-based applications

Daniel T. Wilhelm; Raymond K. Purvis; Anjali Singh; D. Z. Richardson; Robert Allan Hahn Jr.; James R. Duffey; W. Thomas Roberts Jr.; Judith A. Ruffner

doi:10.1117/12.179961

22 July 1994 Status of focal plane arrays (FPAs) for space-based applications

Daniel T. Wilhelm, Raymond K. Purvis, Anjali Singh, D. Z. Richardson, Robert Allan Hahn Jr., James R. Duffey, W. Thomas Roberts Jr., Judith A. Ruffner

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Proceedings Volume 2217, Aerial Surveillance Sensing Including Obscured and Underground Object Detection; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.179961
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1994, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The past decade has seen extensive development of strategic IR focal plane arrays, with the result that surveillance, tracking, and interceptor sensors are a much more credible force for national and theater defense. Investment in IR detector materials, especially HgCdTe, has resulted in breakthrough improvements in array sensitivity, uniformity, and size, making these materials viable for the vital strategic defense systems currently envisioned for deployment. Development of silicon impurity band conductor detector arrays has resulted in arrays for the very long-wave IR that approach theoretical limits for performance in the surveillance applications of tomorrow. Programs for the development of readout circuitry have allowed array sizes to increase dramatically, while permitting longer operational lifetimes in space radiation environments with reduced electronics noise. Efforts under these development programs to cut array costs, while improving yield and performance, are preparing us for programs to manufacture the number required at a cost that will allow the surveillance system to be affordable. This paper presents an overview of space sensor missions, technical progress from recently completed programs, status of ongoing efforts, and speculation about development needs and directions for the future.

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Daniel T. Wilhelm, Raymond K. Purvis, Anjali Singh, D. Z. Richardson, Robert Allan Hahn Jr., James R. Duffey, W. Thomas Roberts Jr., and Judith A. Ruffner "Status of focal plane arrays (FPAs) for space-based applications", Proc. SPIE 2217, Aerial Surveillance Sensing Including Obscured and Underground Object Detection, (22 July 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.179961

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