Optical Sciences Corporation has developed a new dynamic infrared scene projector technology called the Micromirror Array Projector System (MAPS). The MAPS is based upon the Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) which has been modified to project images which are suitable for testing sensor and seekers operating in the UV, visible, and IR wavebands. The projector may be used in several configurations which are optimized for specific applications. This paper provides an overview of the design and performance of the MAPS projection system, as well as example imagery from prototype projector systems.

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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...

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