Method and apparatus for correction of microbolometer output
AssigneeInfrared Components Corporation
InventorsJonathan P. Knauth, Steven M. Balick
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for correction of temperature-induced variations in the analog output characteristics of a microbolometer detector in an infrared detecting focal plane array utilizing electronic means to correct for the temperature variation of the individual microbolometer detector. The electronic circuitry and associated software necessary for implementation is also described.
Claims27
A method of correcting the output of a microbolometer, comprising:
- providing a temperature stabilization system for correcting the temperature variation of the microbolometer;
- providing an electronic system for conditioning the output of the microbolometer;
- and
- conditioning the output signal of the microbolometer.
A device for correction of microbolometer output, said device comprising:
- at least one microbolometer detector;
- an electrical reference circuit connected to said at least one microbolometer detector;
- an output from said electrical reference circuit connected to an input of a signal conditioning circuit;
- and
- an output from said signal conditioning circuit connected to a display device.
A microbolometer correction circuit comprising:
- at least one microbolometer detector;
- an analog-to-digital converter for converting the output of said microbolometer detector into a digital signal;
- a signal processor programmed to apply an algorithm to said digital signal to generate a correction signal;
- a memory device for storing said correction signal;
- and
- an electrical circuit for combining said correction signal with the output of said microbolometer detector.
A method for correction of the output of a microbolometer detection circuit comprising:
- providing at least one microbolometer detector, said microbolometer detector connected to a reference circuit;
- applying the output of said reference circuit to a signal processing system;
- providing a temperature sensor operationally connected to said at least one microbolometer detector;
- sensing the temperature of said microbolometer detector and producing a sensed temperature signal;
- applying the sensed temperature signal to said signal processing system;
- calculating a correction factor based on the outputs of said reference circuit and said sensed temperature signal;
- combining said correction factor with said reference circuit output to produce a corrected signal;
- and
- outputting said corrected signal.
A method for correction of the output of a microbolometer detection circuit comprising:
- providing a microbolometer detector circuit;
- converting the output of said microbolometer detector circuit into a digital signal;
- applying an algorithm to said digital signal;
- generating a correction signal;
- storing said correction signal;
- and
- applying said correction to the microbolometer cell.
A method for correction of the output of a focal plane array of microbolometer detectors employing continuous stabilization of the focal plane array temperature, said method comprising:
- providing a system for thermal stabilization of the focal plane array;
- sensing the focal plane array temperature;
- applying a correction algorithm to correct the analog output of the focal plane array to bring the peak-to-peak value of the analog output within a sensitivity range of an analog-to-digital converter;
- applying the calculated offset values to the first analog frame signals produced by the focal plane array to produce a resultant signal;
- converting the resultant signal to digital data;
- applying previously stored gain values to produce a corrected image signal;
- and
- outputting the corrected image signal.
A method for correction of the output of a focal plane array of microbolometer detectors employing passive stabilization of the focal plane array temperature, said method comprising:
- providing a thermal mass upon which is mounted the focal plane array;
- sensing a first focal plane array temperature;
- applying a correction algorithm to correct the analog output of the focal plane array to bring the value of the analog output signal within a sensitivity range of an analog-to-digital converter;
- applying the calculated offset values to the first analog frame signals produced by the focal plane array to produce a resultant signal;
- converting the resultant signal to digital data;
- applying previously stored gain values to the digital data to produce a corrected image signal;
- and
- outputting the corrected image signal.
A microbolometer device comprising:
- at least one microbolometer detector;
- an electrical reference circuit connected to said at least one microbolometer detector;
- an output from said electrical reference circuit connected to an input of a signal conditioning circuit;
- and
- an output from said signal conditioning circuit connected to a display device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.