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THERMAL-EYE HISTORY
As a pioneer in infrared imaging, L-3 Infrared Products (formerly Raytheon Commercial Infrared) led the development of thermal imaging products based on low-cost, hybrid ferroelectric (FE) uncooled focal-plane array (FPA) technology for both military and commercial markets. Once restricted by cost and complexity to high-end defense applications, these thermal imaging systems are now used in a wide range of commercial public safety, security and industrial applications. Smaller, lighter and more practical than ever, the latest cameras have found their way into everything from police vehicles to portable firefighting cameras to consumer automobiles.
Early infrared systems were cryogenically cooled with liquid nitrogen, each costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to produce. Lower-cost infrared thermal imagers first became viable when Texas Instruments (later acquired by Raytheon) demonstrated an uncooled thermal imaging system to the U.S. Army in 1978. Until the introduction of this uncooled technology, thermal imaging remained beyond the reach of commercial and industrial users.
In the mid-1990s Raytheon Commercial Infrared developed and produced a variety of infrared optic technologies under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Technology Reinvestment Program (TRP) and the Dual-Use Applications Program (DUAP). Through these government partnerships, its own R&D efforts and strategic acquisitions of Amber, Hughes and Texas Instruments’ defense businesses, Raytheon paved the way for revolutionary advances in both the technology and production processes.
In 1995, the company introduced its first low-cost, uncooled infrared imagers for public safety, security and industrial applications and began deliveries to customers. In 1997, Raytheon introduced the first, portable handheld thermal imager. With the integration of its Night Vision™ thermal imaging system into the Cadillac DeVille's 2000 model, Raytheon was the first company to bring the technology to consumers to help make nighttime driving safer.
The company continued to drive even lower-cost, high performance thermal imaging solutions in 2000 with its new miniature infrared cameras using amorphous silicon (a-Si) microbolometers and video processing circuitry based on the same high-volume semiconductor devices used in cellular phones. Digital electronics, which produced sharper, clearer thermal pictures, became the cornerstone of the product portfolio in 2001 as the company continued to introduce innovative new products.
Today, L-3 Communications Infrared Products continues to pioneer new technologies, playing a vital role in keeping our neighborhoods secure, protecting drivers at night and saving lives.
| Major Milestones |
| 1960’s |
Introduction of cooled forward-looking infrared (FLIR). |
| 1972 |
Joint research with the Army Night Vision Laboratory yields common module (cooled) forward-looking infrared system. |
| 1978 |
Development of uncooled thermal imaging technology and demonstration to the US Army Night Vision Laboratory. |
| 1981 |
Custom readout design business founded. Customer-specific requirements make up 100 percent of orders. |
| 1985 |
Produced battery-operated uncooled sight for the US Army through the Short Range Thermal Sight (SRTS) program. |
| 1986 |
Indium Antimonide (InSb) detector processing begins. |
| 1988 |
Industry’s first commercial IR camera introduced. |
| 1990 |
256 x 256 focal plane array camera introduced. |
| 1992 |
Raytheon acquires Amber as a wholly-owned subsidiary.
Radiance 1 camera developed.
512 x 512 focal plane array demonstrated.
Demonstrated Low-cost Uncooled Sensor Prototype (LOCUSP) system as a surveillance sensor and a battery-operated weapons site. |
| 1993 |
Developed prototype of commercial uncooled IR products and demonstrated them in the marketplace.
Extensive customer testing occurs, and the uncooled BST thermal imaging product family is developed for commercial users. Hand-held and weapon sight products are developed for the military. |
| 1995 |
The uncooled BST thermal imaging camera is introduced and production deliveries to customers begins.
Emergent detector technologies brought to commercial market. |
| 1996 |
First uncooled microbolometer camera to market |
| 1997 |
First radiometric uncooled camera to market.
Introduction of the 250, the market’s first affordable hand-held thermal imager.
Introduction of Series 200, the most affordable remote-controlled thermal imager for law enforcement and surveillance. |
| 1999 |
Achieved first 1000+ production month (September) in the industry for uncooled IR cameras. |
| 2000 |
Introduction of the world’s first automotive thermal imaging driving aid (in the 2000 Cadillac DeVille.)
Amorphous Silicon Bolometer technology product introduced.
Achieved first production of wafer-level packaged uncooled bolometers. |
| 2001 |
Updated IR products portfolio to digital electronics.
Produced the first uncooled IR camera with zoom.
Introduced first uncooled radiometric camera with pocket PC interface. |
| 2002 |
Introduced the first thermal security camera, a drop-in replacement for standard CCTV security cameras. |
| 2003 |
Introduced the first truly pocket-sized thermal imaging camera, the X-100, the first several hundred of which were deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Became charter member of American Council for Thermal Imaging. |
| 2004 |
L-3 Communications acquires Raytheon Commercial Infrared. |
| 2005 |
Introduced the Thermal-Eye 3500AS and 3600AS amorphous silicon 30 hertz camera cores to the OEM market, offering cutting edge absolute customizable color.
Introduced the Thermal-Eye X200xp handheld camera with improved imagery and 30 hertz, 30 micron detector |
| The Future |
Infrared Vision for Everyday Life |
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