Digital Pixel Readout Integrated Circuit for High Dynamic Range Infrared Imaging Applications

This proposal outlines a digital pixel readout integrated circuit (DPROIC) to achieve extremely high dynamic range, high speed and elegant functionality for infrared image focal plane arrays. This digital pixel readout will be a complete camera-on-chip architecture when combined with single or dual polarity dual band detectors in a hybrid fashion. It will have a wide operating temperature range to support a broad range of detector architectures. The proposed DPROIC will be implemented in a mature CMOS process with much more reasonable mask costs as compared to that of state-of-the-art line width processes, saving money and broadening the possible supplier base. The final product will be flexible enough to be used as a generic readout integrated circuit for a broad range of NASA missions and other applications.

Earth observing including water vapor, sea ice, land and water temperature, ecosystem dynamics, weather science, land resource mapping; Solar System and astronomy applications such as imaging cold bodies near bright objects, measuring temperatures and atmospheres of planets; Any application requiring two color (any combination of and from shortwave to longwave) detectors to determine precise irradiances at two different wavelengths radiating from the same area at the same time.

Ground combat and air combat applications of all types using a wide variety of detector materials and cutoff wavelengths; Military surveillance compatible with sun-approach warnings; Missile seekers; Homeland security applications; Biometrics; Fire/disaster emergencies (observation and analysis); Security and surveillance in hostile scene situations; Industrial (robotics, weld verification, high temperature processing, heat gradient verification); Medical applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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