Application of Multiple IR Projector Technologies for AMCOM HWIL Simulations

Abstract

This paper describes the application of multiple IR projector technologies to Hardware-in-the-Loop (HWIL) simulations at the US Army Aviation and Missile Command's (AMCOM) Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (MRDEC). Several projectors utilizing a variety of emerging technologies are currently being successfully applied within the HWIL facilities of AMCOM's MRDEC. Projector technologies utilized at AMCOM include laser diode array projectors (LDAP), Honeywell's bright resistive infrared thermal emitter (BRITE) arrays, an IR zoom projector with thermoscenes, and steerable point source projectors. Future plans include a new resistor array projector called the Multispectral Infrared Animation Generation Equipment (MIRAGE), which is being manufactured by Santa Barbara Infrared. These projector technologies have been used to support multiple HWIL test entries of various seeker configurations. Seeker configurations tested include: two InSb 256x256 FPAs, an InSb 512x512 FPA, a PtSi 640x480 FPA, a PtSi 256x256 FPA, a HgCdTe 256x256 FPA, a scanning linear array, and an uncooled 320x240 microbolometer FPA. The application, capabilities, and performance of each technology are reviewed in the paper. Example imagery collected from each operational system is also presented.Keywords: Infrared, Scene Projection, Diode lasers, Simulation, FPA testing, Hardware-in-the-loop. INTRODUCTIONThe AMCOM Advanced Simulation Center (ASC) provides high-fidelity, value-added HWIL simulation support to Program Executive Officers (PEO) and Project Managers (PM) who are responsible for developing and fielding tactical precision guided missiles and submunitions for the U.S. Army. The ASC is also engaged in cooperative HWIL simulation tasks which support other DoD Agencies, NATO members and other U.S. Allies. This test support focuses primarily on testing missiles/munitions employing infrared, millimeter wave, and microwave sensors and seekers. 1The ASC facility is located on Redstone Arsenal, adjacent to Huntsville, Alabama. The ASC consists of 14 HWIL simulation facilities developed over a period of 25 years. These facilities contain special purpose computers, signal generation equipment, projectors, and radiation chambers, supported by signature measurement-based mathematical models. They provide targets signatures, countermeasures, and background scenarios in the microwave, millimeter wave, infrared and visible regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Some of the programs currently supported include THAAD, Patriot, Army TACMS-BAT, Javelin, EFOG-M, TOW, Stinger, Longbow, and SADARM.The ASC has six simulation facilities for testing systems which utilize IR sensors or seekers. A photograph of one of the facilities is shown in Figure1. The ASC IR HWIL facilities are capable of generating dynamic in-band IR images in realtime using advanced IR projector and scene generation computer equipment. This paper provides an overview of the IR projector technologies utilized within the ASC and the performance capabilities of each s...