Area receiver with antenna-coupled infrared sensors
US6459084B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 12, 2000 |
| Grant date | Oct 1, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 12, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J5/20
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A small array of antenna-coupled infrared bolometer detectors is connected in parallel. This small array is suitable as an individual area-receiving pixel of an infrared focal plane array. These pixels will have better coupling efficiency to extended sources than are possible with individual antenna-coupled sensors, which have a spatial response on the order of one wavelength in dimension. This pixel can be used to provide the advantages of antenna-coupled IR sensors (e.g., fast response, wavelength tuning, and polarization tuning) while increasing the collection efficiency of the sensors to non-laser sources. When integrated into focal plane arrays, these detectors can be used in remote-sensing systems to facilitate enhanced image recognition, feature extraction and image-clutter removal. A preferred version of the pixel forming the focal plane array antenna has a plurality of two parallel longitudinal metal antenna arms extending outward and opposite from an infrared (IR) bolometer sensor to separate parallel contact pads connected in turn to a means for receiving the output from said antenna. Application areas can include earth-resource mapping, pollution monitoring, and general…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.