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22 Apr 2015
High-spec cameras, sensors, lenses and more in abundance at SPIE's Baltimore exhibition and conference,
This week’s SPIE Defense, Security and Sensing (DSS) conference and exhibition in Baltimore, MD, US, is one of the year’s most important technical meetings on optics, imaging, and sensing for defense and security. Around 6,000 scientists, researchers, program managers, and company reps have been gathering to learn about new developments – and to do business. The associated SPIE DSS Expo sees 400 companies presenting their latest developments in optics, lasers, sensors, image processing, spectroscopy, infrared systems, thermal imaging, optoelectronic components, instrumentation, data analysis, and more. Here, optics.org presents a sample of some of the new launches.
Xenics, Leuven, Belgium, a developer and manufacturer of advanced infrared detectors, cameras and customized imaging solutions covering the LWIR to visible spectrum, introduces the third member of its high-resolution Xenics Core Infrared OEM product family. The Stirling-cooled XCO-640 MWIR module provides high stability and optical performance for perimeter surveillance, law enforcement and homeland security.
The new XCO-640 long-range MWIR surveillance core offers a rugged setup with several 22x zoom lens options, fully controllable via Serial Protocol. Lenses with different focal lengths (up to 825mm) can be used on the same MWIR imaging core. Xenics also provides on-board autofocus functionality. This way, large-area infrastructures, such as airports, can be monitored by a few pan-and-tilt cameras, simplifying the surveillance logistics.
Thermal image sensor developer ULIS, a subsidiary of Sofradir, has announced the selection of its Pico640 Gen2 into Thermoteknix System’s MicroCAM 3, a new micro-weight thermal imaging core. Pico640 Gen2 is a thermal imaging sensor offering “important advantages” to portable military systems. Pico640 Gen2 and MicroCAM 3 take the size, weight, power and performance of thermal imaging to new levels, making the technologies suitable for handheld, battery-powered head-mounted and weapons-mounted systems.
Dr. Richard Salisbury, managing director of Thermoteknix Systems, commented, “By combining recent advantages in FPGA technology with the Pico640 Gen2 detector we have been able to make substantial improvements in both power consumption and imaging performance; while minimizing the size, weight and0 form factor of the new MicroCAM 3 which are ideally suited to Thermoteknix shutterless patented XTi imaging.”
Four new high performance lenses were presented by Ophir Optics, a developer of precision infrared lenses. Ophir produces a wide range of high quality, cost effective, superior performance infrared and vision components, lenses, and motorized zoom lens systems.
The four lenses consist of: an extremely wide angle, 180 degree field-of-view fisheye; a 15-60mm focal length F 1.4 uncooled motorized continuous zoom, a 19-200mm focal length F/4.0 cooled motorized continuous zoom; and a 15-280mm focal length F 5.5 cooled motorized continuous zoom.
Each lens is tailored to meet specific market needs. The fisheye is ideal for surveillance, security and situational awareness; the 19-200mm zoom is optimized to fit within a 7in gimbal for UAV applications; the 15-280mm zoom integrates with an F 5.5 cooled detector; the 15-60mm zoom meets the growing demand for thermal weapon sights, small UAV payloads, and surveillance.
Just a few days before the DSS conference and expo, Edmund Optics announced that it had received a "multi-million dollar” defense-related contract for some of its custom optical components supporting a smart sensors system. Besides its extensive catalog of COTS optics, the company also manufactures precision grade custom optics for DSS industries.
In addition to smart sensor applications, EO supplies optics for such programs as PVS 14, ENVG Night Vision, One Shot, Family of Weapon Sights for Individual ground soldier (FWSI), and smart munition and missile systems with leading US Prime contractors.
Bill Dover, Director of Business Development for Defense and Special Programs, commented, “What makes EO unique in the defense industry is our ability to quickly modify our COTS components domestically, while offering cost-effective volume optics at one of our off-shore manufacturing locations through our Technical Assistance Agreements.”
• Further news on products launched or demonstrated at DSS 2015 is available on the SPIE website.
About the Author
Matthew Peach is a contributing editor to optics.org
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