Glint Reduction in Staring Focal Plane Array Mid-Wave Thermal Imagers Employing Microscanning Navy SBIR FY2004.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2004.2 Topic No.: N04-170 Topic Title: Glint Reduction in Staring Focal Plane Array Mid-Wave Thermal Imagers Employing Microscanning Proposal No.: N042-170-0 Firm: Imaging Sensors and Systems, Inc. 925 South Semoran Blvd. Suite 114 Winter Park,, Florida 32792-5313 Contact: John Fumo Phone: (407) 673-8333 Web Site: htpp://www.imagesensors.com Abstract: Imaging Sensors and Systems (ISS) manufactures microscanner based Mid Wave Infra-Red (MWIR) thermal imaging systems. MWIR sensors with staring Focal Plane Array (FPA) operating in 3-5 mm are adversely affected by the sun glint in applications where the target must be imaged against a sea-surface background. For this reason ISS has already been working on reducing the sun glint. In this Phase I program, a combination of hardware and software solutions for the glint suppression will be developed and demonstrated. The hardware includes: (a) The microscanner based MWIR thermal imaging system manufactured by ISS, (b) Polarized laser illuminator synchronized with the imaging system microscanner, and (c) Polarizing, spectral band-pass, and temporal filters called Spatio-temporal microscanning technique. The evaluation and demonstration for this Phase I program will also include video processing software for the thermal system. In Initial Phase I program: (1) The concept of an active thermal system will be optimized, (2) Critical components will be fabricated, purchased, and obtained such as the ISS camera Model M320i-3 with microscanner for tests (3) The hardware/software will be assembled for the suppression of the sun glint. This active thermal imaging system concept will be demonstrated in the proposed Option Phase I program. Benefits: As noted in the foregoing technical abstract, ISS is a manufacturer of thermal MWIR imaging systems employing microscanning. The proposed study will improve the target signal-to-clutter ratio for small cross-section targets acquisition and tracking for the MWIR imaging systems. The active illuminator synchronized with the imaging system microscanner and the spatio and temporal filters will benefit the overall commercial markets for systems manufactured by ISS. Return