Advancements in the micromirror array projector technology II

Abstract

The Micromirror Array Projector System (MAPS) is a state-of-the-art dynamic scene projector developed by Optical Sciences Corporation (OSC) for Hardware-In-the-Loop (HWIL) simulation and sensor test applications. Since the introduction of the first MAPS in 2001, OSC has continued to improve the technology and develop systems for new projection and test applications. The MAPS is based upon the Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) which has been modified to project high resolution, realistic imagery suitable for testing sensors and seekers operating in the UV, visible, NIR, and IR wavebands. This paper reviews the basic design and describes recent developments and new applications of the MAPS technology. Recent developments for the MAPS include increasing the format of the micromirror array to 1280x1024, increasing the video frame rate to >230 Hz, development of a DMD active cooling system, and development of a high-temperature illumination blackbody.Keywords: Infrared, Scene Projection, Digital Micromirror Device, Simulation, FPA testing, Hardware-in-the-loop. INTRODUCTIONThe Micromirror Array Projector System (MAPS) is a state-of-the-art dynamic scene projector developed by Optical Sciences Corporation (OSC) for Hardware-In-the-Loop(HWIL) simulation and sensor test applications. Since the introduction of the first MAPS in 2001, OSC has continued to improve the technology and develop systems for new projection and test applications. The MAPS is based upon the Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) which has been modified by OSC for sensor test applications. This projector technology is capable of producing very realistic dynamic scenes in the UV, visible, NIR, and IR wavebands. The projector technology offers several attractive features including high spatial resolution, high frame rates, no dead pixels, and excellent uniformity. OSC now offers a family of commercial projector products including projectors, test-sets, and projector engines. In addition, the projector may be customized in a variety of configurations which are tailored to specific applications. DMD BACKGROUNDThe DMD is a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) which has a 2-D array of individually controlled aluminum micro-mirrors. The DMD is the spatial light modulator in TI's Digital Light Processing (DLP) system. DLP engines are manufactured by TI and sold to OEMs for use in display products such as business projection systems, cinema, and High Definition Televisions (HDTVs). DMDs are currently commercially available in a variety of formats with resolutions up to 2048x1024. The latest generation of DMDs contains micromirrors on a 13.6 µm pitch which tilt ±12.5° mechanically. However, we are still utilizing DMDs which have micromirrors on a 17.0 µm pitch and tilt ±10.0° mechanically. Figure 1 shows a 1024x768 DMD package, and Figure 2 is an SEM image of the micromirrors with a grain of salt on the surface of the device.As depicted in Figure 3, each micromirror in the DMD can tilt in one of two directions (±20° or...

High contrast ratio optimized total internal reflection prism for compact medium-wave IR target simulation system

“…It can be seen from the experimental results that the contrast ratio of the telecentric structure with the OTIR prism is improved compared with other structures of the MWIR target simulation system. 9 , 10 Figure 12 shows the simulated images of DMD in full-on and full-off state at 700 K and the output images of the simulated system with black and white grid input. The test results show that the optical system designed in this study can fully meet the requirements of MWIR target detection systems.…”

“…A contrast ratio of 250:1 is reached in the spectral range of 3–5 μm bands and the temperature of 785 K. Beasley et al. 10 gave a detailed overview of the Micromirror Array Projector System (MAPS) of Optical Technology Company of the United States. In the MWIR, a contrast ratio of 90:1 is reached when the DMD is illuminated with a light source temperature of 523 K temperature.…”

Thermal resolution specification in infrared scene projectors

“…Such systems control the current flowing through individual resistor pixel elements to heat them to a desired temperature in order to generate an infrared scene. Digital micro-mirror devices (DMDs) are another common technology used in infrared scene projection [3]. These devices have an array of small mirrors which can be switched between two positions in order to reflect or not reflect radiance from a source.…”

Dynamic scene simulation techonlogy used for infrared seeker

“…Metal electrodes for each pixel are then formed and connected to the underlying address structure. An organic spacer is deposited on the structure and mirror elements are then organic layer is removed by plasma etching leaving air gap between the beams the address electrodes [4,5] .…”