The increasing use of the next generation focal plane array infrared detectors has resulted in growth in the number and types of Thermoelectric Thermal Reference Sources (TTRS). These TTRSs provide a temperature controllable, radiometrically uniform surface. When viewed by the system detectors, the TTRS allows the system electronics to perform gain and offset calibration as well as DC restoration. This paper describes typical calibration cycles for starring arrays systems. It will include typical calibration temperatures for different ambients and transient times between these calibration points. For several size emitter surfaces, power consumption over the calibration cycle will be shown. Since starring array systems do not have mechanical scanners, other means are required to inject the TTRS image into the optical path. Methods for inserting the TTRS into the optical path will be discussed and examples shown. To aid infrared system design engineers during their design process, TTRS critical paramters for starring array systems will be discussed.

Date Published: 25 October 2002
PDF: 9 pages
Proc. SPIE 4772, Electro-Optical System Design, Simulation, Testing, and Training, (25 October 2002); doi: 10.1117/12.456540

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 4772:
Electro-Optical System Design, Simulation, Testing, and Training
Richard M. Wasserman; Scott L. DeVore, Editor(s)