Advancements in the Micromirror Array Projector Technology

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 1024x768 and increasing the binary frame rate to 10KHz. The MAPS technology has also been applied to the design of a Mobile Extended Spectrum Electro-Optical Test Set (MESEOTS). This test set is designed for testing UV, visible, NIR and IR sensors as well as laser rangefinders, laser trackers, and laser designators. The design and performance of the improved MAPS and the MESEOTS are discussed in paper.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. DMDs are currently commercially available in a variety of formats with resolutions up to 1280x1024. 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 reflect light in one of two directions (±20° optical...

Creation and transition of digital light processing technology to defense applications

“…Scene Generation. Pape and Carter, 28 Beasley et al, 29 Folks et al, 30 and Gao et al 31 have developed scene generators based on VGA and XGA DMD chip light engines in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared (near-, short-, mid and long-wave) to support sensor development and training.…”

High-dynamic range DMD-based IR scene projector

“…A final IR scene projector technology is based on digital micromirror devices (DMDs) converted for IR operation. [6][7] These systems benefit from the considerable commercial success of digital light projection (DLP TM ) with low device cost and streamlined readin circuitry. Relative to the competition, DMD-based IR scene projectors offer excellent uniformity and pixel operability, and higher apparent temperatures are possible due to the relaxed thermal management requirements of a single IR source that itself is not modulated.…”

High dynamic range digital micromirror device-based infrared scene projector

“…The scene projectors can be used to simulate a wide range of different threat scenarios with realistic scenes that accurately represent the spectral, spatial, temporal, and radiometric characteristics of the threat or threats. 6,7 These systems benefit from the considerable commercial success of digital light projection™ with low device cost and streamlined read-in circuitry. A number of IRSP technologies have been developed in response to this need, the most prominent of which is the resistive element array.…”