DALLAS – April 10, 2007 – L-3 Communications Infrared Products will showcase images from the first uncooled focal plane array (FPA) with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution at SPIE Defense and Security in Orlando, Fla., from April 10 – April 12, at booth #807. This quantum leap forward in thermal imaging performance will bring substantial benefits to users: significantly longer viewing range, appreciably greater scene detail and considerably more capable electronic zoom. The FPA will also take another leap – downward – as its price will be a fraction of the cost of comparable high-res cooled thermal imaging products.
“True to our commitment to setting performance standards, this step forward will change the landscape of uncooled thermal imaging,” Richard Darlow, president, L-3 Communications Infrared Products, said. “This is another in a long line of industry firsts that reaffirms our legacy as a true pioneer and innovator and it will greatly enhance the value proposition of uncooled thermal imaging.”
The 1024 x 768 BFE262 FPA was developed by prime contractor Black Forest Engineering (BFE) on a Phase II SBIR for NASA Langley under contract number NNL05AA11C.
“We could not have even considered this ambitious development without the tremendous expertise that L-3 Communications Infrared provided with their advanced high-performance a-Si detector technology used to fabricate the required 20um pitch detectors, and packaging of the largest known wafer level vacuum packaged IC,” BFE president, Stephen Gaalema said.
This demonstration marks the next step in the development of higher-performing amorphous silicon technology that will be included in L-3 Communications Infrared’s new portfolio of 17 micron technology. Production is expected to begin in the next 12 to 18 months.
About L-3 Communications
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications is a leading provider of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) systems, secure communications systems, aircraft modernization, training and government services. The company is a leading merchant supplier of a broad array of high technology products, including guidance and navigation, sensors, scanners, fuzes, data links, propulsion systems, simulators, avionics, electro optics, satellite communications, electrical power equipment, encryption, signal intelligence, antennas and microwave components. L-3 also supports a variety of Homeland Security initiatives with products and services. Its customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, selected U.S. Government intelligence agencies and aerospace prime contractors.
About Black Forest Engineering
Located in Colorado Springs, CO, Black Forest Engineering specializes in the development of CMOS custom analog and mixed signal integrated circuits for imaging and display applications. Designs include CMOS ICs for reading out cooled and uncooled IR and x-ray detectors as well as high speed and high sensitivity monolithic visible light sensors. The Mars Climate Sounder instrument, currently taking data from Mars orbit, contains a NASA/JPL Thermopile IR array and BFE CMOS readout (images available at www.bfe.com). Since BFE's inception in 1990, more than 190 CMOS and detector chips have been designed.