Radiant energy – Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling – Infrared responsive
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-28
2001-10-30
Hannaher, Constantine (Department: 2878)
Radiant energy
Invisible radiant energy responsive electric signalling
Infrared responsive
C250S338100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06310346
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Infrared(IR) systems have been widely used in the past. Current systems generally require bulk optical systems having multiple moving parts for polarization control. Image forming radiation is typically collected for a fixed polarization state. Optical filters must be used in the optical train before the receiving detector array. The selection of the polarization state requires mechanical motion of the optical filters. The typical weight of the necessary filter and switching assemblies is on the order of 1 kg or more. The required time to switch between polarization states can be on the order of 2 seconds or more. Polarization-resolved imagery is largely unexploited, because of inconvenient implementation.
Many U.S. Patents have been proposed for Infrared detectors but have many of the problems previously described. See for example U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,131 to Javan; U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,885 to Saffold et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,179 to Baker; U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,884 to Brewitt-Taylor et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,146 to Rutledge; U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,374 to Norton; U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,453 to Chang et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,176 to Eckel, Jr. et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,284 to Butler et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,750 to Yanka et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,519,529 to Ahearn et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,523,570 to Hairston.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first objective of the present invention is to provide an Infrared(IR) detector antenna system for collecting image-forming radiation by means of a tuned state.
The second object of this invention is to provide an IR detector antenna system of collecting radiation in a dynamically programmable tuned state.
The third object of this invention is to provide an IR detector antenna system where optical filters are eliminated and polarization selection is integrated directly onto the detector array.
The fourth object of this invention is to provide an IR detector antenna system where the control and selection of the tunable state is completely electronic and requires no moving parts.
The fifth object of this invention is to provide an IR detector antenna system where the weight required for implementation is essentially zero.
The sixth object of this invention is to provide an IR detector antenna system where the time required to switch polarization is compatible with video frame rates on the order of approximately {fraction (3/1000)} of a second.
The seventh object of this invention is to provide an IR detector antenna system where the polarization state for reception can be tailored to features of interest in the image data.
The eighth object of this invention is to provide an IR detector antenna system which enables the development of improved algorithms for both image-recognition and for discrimination against image clutter.
In the polarization tuned embodiment of the subject invention, infrared antennas are integrated into existing Infrared(IR) focal-plane-array (FPA) systems. The arrangement is an array of independent antenna-coupled detectors, rather than a phased-array antenna. Each novel detector pixel square can have exterior dimensions of between approximately 40 micrometers to approximately 50 micrometers on each side. The size of the array can be approximately 5 to approximately 20 mm across each side. One possible embodiment of an individual pixel (unit cell) includes a series connection of individual antenna-coupled infrared sensors distributed over the unit cell.
The polarization tuning is accomplished by the fact that the relative phase of the current waves on the arms of each antenna is determined by the capacitance of the load impedance located at the feed.
The frequency tuning embodiment of the invention relies on the electrical size of the antenna (how large is the antenna in terms of the wave-length of the radiation to be sensed) which is modified by external means whereby its resonant frequency is changed.
The capacitance of the IR sensing diode used at the feed is a function of the externally applied voltage imposed on the antenna.
The polarization response of the sensor can thus be controlled electronically, eliminating the need for separate optical filters.
For the frequency tuned sensors, this embodiment is preferably a microstrip antenna coupled to a bolometer wherein the sensor has a tunable response accomplished by use of a single substrate voltage on a separate capacitative device such as a MOS(Metal Oxide Semiconductor).
These detectors and their arrays can be used in remote-sensing systems to facilitate enhanced image recognition, feature extraction, and image-clutter removal. The application areas can include earth-resource mapping, pollution monitoring and general surveillance.
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the two preferred embodiments which are illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 30131 (1979-10-01), Javan
patent: 4652885 (1987-03-01), Saffold
patent: 5239179 (1993-08-01), Baker
patent: 5248884 (1993-09-01), Brewitt-Taylor
patent: 5404146 (1995-04-01), Rutledge
patent: 5432374 (1995-07-01), Norton
patent: 5436453 (1995-07-01), Chang
patent: 5442176 (1995-08-01), Eckel
patent: 5446284 (1995-08-01), Butler
patent: 5512750 (1996-04-01), Yanka
patent: 5519529 (1996-05-01), Ahearn
patent: 5523570 (1996-06-01), Hairston
patent: 5583340 (1996-12-01), Grossman
patent: 5773831 (1998-06-01), Brouns
patent: 5777581 (1998-07-01), Lilly et al.
patent: 5790080 (1998-08-01), Apostolos
patent: 6037590 (2000-03-01), Boreman et al.
patent: 6100525 (2000-08-01), Eden
UK Patent Application 2,260,218A (Published Jul. 4, 1993), Inventors: Taylor et al. Infrared.
Wilke, Nanometer Thin-Film Ni-NiO-Ni Diodes for 30 THZ Radiation, Applied Physics, 1994, p. 329-341.
Wire, Improved Performance of a Superconductive Optical Detector with Planar Antennas, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, Mar. 1993, p. 2163-2166.
Goldstone, Polarization Diversity Lens, IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, Mar. 1994, p.237-239.
Haskins, Active Polarization-Agile Microstrip Patch Antennas,Antennas and Propagation,Apr. 1995, p. 163-165.
Forman, A Tunable Second-Resonance Cross-Slot Antenna,IEEE, Mar. 1997 p. 18-21.
Fumeaux, Polarization Response of Asymmetric-Spiral Infrared Antennas,Optical Society of America,Sep. 1997, p. 6485-6490.
Boreman Glenn D.
Christodoulou Christos
Cordreanu Iulian
Fumeaux Christophe
Gritz Michael
Gagliardi Albert
Hannaher Constantine
Law Offices of Brian S. Steinberger
Steinberger Brian S.
University of Central Florida
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