SWIFT EI: event-based SWIR sensor for tactical applications

Abstract

Event-based imagers are an emerging class of sensors with demonstrated advantages relative to traditional imagers. Event-based vision sensors have a limited number of output bits that are only responsive to image variations, thus overcoming the speed and power constraints of the conventional imagers based on image integration. The SWIFT EI the first event-based InGaAs sensor that is sensitive in the Visible to SWIR band (600–1700nm). The main novelty of this sensor is that the event channel outputs in parallel to a conventional fast imaging channel. Moreover, we can reconfigure the event channel to provide a fast laser pulse detection mode (3rd generation ALPD), which also outputs in parallel to the integrated image. In that context we described in detail the architecture, key features, and preliminary simulations of the ROIC. The SWIFT EI is a low SWaP product optimized for tactical wide distribution applications that incorporates the event based FPA. We will present measurement results of the high frame rate (HFR) imaging channel; the event channel that can reach up to 25 kHz of negative, null, or positive signal, and the laser detection channel providing a single bit detection frame up to 50 kHz. This feature is ideal for multi spot tracking and pulse repetition frequency (PRF).