Comparison of performance measurements are presented for a Raytheon (Amber) Sentinal Uncooled Micro-Bolometer Focal Plane Array (UMFPA) camera and a Raytheon (formerly Texas Instruments Defense Systems and Electronics Group) Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP) Ferroelectric Uncooled Focal Plane Array (UFFPA) camera. The two cameras were tested for numerous performance-related issues involving time, temperature, FPA region and image translation related dependencies. The performance parameters of interest were 1) nonuniformity versus environmental temperature 2) Changes in non-uniformity with time since power up and as a function of time since nonuniformity correction update, 3) Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD), 4) V-curves, 5) Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference (MRTD), 6) response linearity, 7) power consumption and readiness time as a function of system soak temperature, and 8) image smear distortion characteristics.The Sentinel camera tested is a DC coupled system employing a shutter for nonuniformity correction. The temperature of the shutter is neither controlled nor monitored. The Sentinel cameras can be operated off a battery pack or AC power through a converter. This camera comes equipped with a small viewer and the necessary controls required for optimizing the camera parameters. External RS170 and digital image data ports are provided, as is an RS232

No abstract