DON26BZ02-DV053 TITLE: DIRECT TO PHASE II: Innovative Camera Technology for Advanced, Simultaneous Imaging in the Extended Short Wave and Mid Wave Infrared Bands

OUSW (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance (Q-BID)

COMPONENT TECHNOLOGY PRIORITY AREA(S): Integrated Sensing and Cyber

PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT: Level 2 (Self)

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop and demonstrate a dual-band camera, operating across the extended short-wave and mid-wave infrared bands, incorporating a single large format, small pitch, focal plane array and corresponding digital readout integrated circuit suitable for video imaging in a maritime environment.

DESCRIPTION: The Navy is developing and deploying a suite of imaging sensors (cameras) operating across both visible and infrared wavelengths to provide panoramic surveillance, situational awareness, and target detection. Collectively, these cameras are required to yield high resolution, multi-spectral, video imagery over large fields of regard in challenging maritime environments. Consequently, a complete system necessarily incorporates multiple optical apertures and multiple, large format, small pitch, focal plane arrays (FPAs), each covering a wavelength band of interest and each with its own video readout and data interface. The full system is largely just a collection of individual cameras, mounted together and aligned and coordinated through a common controller. The size, weight, and cost are essentially the sum of the size, weight, and cost of the individual cameras. The system performance is fundamentally limited by the performance of the individual cameras as well. Other than the quality of the optics, individual camera performance is determined by the focal plane array (FPA) and the digital readout integrated circuit (DROIC), which are typically specific to the particular wavelength band. True multi-spectral sensing at the FPA level would reduce the size, weight, and the cost of the overall system. Alignment and synchronization issues between bands would also be eliminated.

Of particular interest are the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) band of 3-5 microns wavelength and what is commonly referred to as the "extended" short-wave infrared (e-SWIR) band of 1-2.5 microns wavelength. The bands are adjacent, except for a small atmospheric absorption gap, and large format (16+ megapixel) small pitch (less than 8 micron) FPAs are desired for both bands.

The bands are therefore naturally suited to dual-band sensor architectures. It should also be noted that true dual-band sensing utilizing these two bands (as opposed to wide-band sensing or sensing each band separately with two, band-specific FPAs) is expected to yield superior performance, offering increased range and improved clutter rejection for overall enhanced situational awareness. This is a collateral benefit, not a topic requirement, and it assumes that implementation of the dual-band FPA architecture does not compromise or otherwise degrade other key performance measures, such as noise and resolution.

The Navy desires an innovative camera technology capable of providing dual-band e-SWIR and MWIR video imagery data in separate channels via a Camera Link serial protocol standard (or equivalent) interface. There is no known technology commercially available today that meets the Navy’s current needs.

The prototype camera shall incorporate a focal plane array comprised of a bias-selectable dual-band sensor and integrated digital readout integrated circuit (DROIC) or digital pixel readout integrated circuit (DPROIC). The focal plane array should be installed in an integrated Dewar-Cooler assembly operating at 100-160 Kelvin, with cold shield and optics of f1.5 or faster with a 1-5 micron optical transmission band. The camera should have an instantaneous field of view (FOV) no greater than 200 micro-radians. For purposes of demonstration, the prototype FPA is only required to have 2000 x 2000 (or equivalent) pixel format, but no larger than 8-micron pixel pitch. However, the technology should be fundamentally capable of extension to larger formats. A path to a smaller pitch is also highly desirable. The design should address performance issues such as noise equivalent irradiance performance, saturation/dynamic-range, and other DROIC-defined parameters. The DROIC/DPROIC should support 30 Hz full frame rate operation. While it is not necessary that it be demonstrated under this Phase II effort, the DROIC design should be capable of supporting higher frame rate windowing in multiple sub-windows. The prototype shall be tested in a manner and under conditions that clearly demonstrate the performance improvements obtained by the dual-band approach.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

PHASE I: For a Direct to Phase II topic, the Government expects that the small business will have accomplished the following in a Phase I-type effort and developed a concept for a workable prototype or design to address, at a minimum, the basic requirements stated in the Description. The following actions would be required in order to satisfy the requirements of Phase I:

• Identification and selection of specific FPA architecture.

• Identification and selection of a specific FPA semiconductor family.

• Performance estimates based on modelling and simulation, analysis, or initial scaled prototype element testing of the selected FPA (or substantially similar) architecture, demonstrating feasibility.

• Initial design requirements for DROIC or DPROIC compatible with and suited for the selected FPA architecture.

• Performance estimates for an initial prototype camera design (FPA, DROIC/DPROIC, optics, etc.) based on the selected FPA architecture, consistent with the demonstration of feasibility.

• Identification of technical risks and associated approaches for addressing those risks.

FEASIBILITY DOCUMENTATION: Offerors interested in participating in Direct to Phase II must include in their response to this topic Phase I feasibility documentation that substantiates the scientific and technical merit and Phase I feasibility described in Phase I above has been met (i.e., the small business must have performed Phase I-type research and development related to the topic NOT solely based on work performed under prior or ongoing federally funded SBIR/STTR work) and describe the potential commercialization applications. The documentation provided must validate that the proposer has completed development of technology as stated in Phase I above. Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Work submitted within the feasibility documentation must have been substantially performed by the offeror and/or the principal investigator (PI). Read and follow all the DON SBIR Direct to Phase II Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Instructions. Phase I proposals will NOT be accepted for this topic.

PHASE II: Develop and demonstrate a prototype consistent with the Description above, of a monolithic, bias selectable, e-SWIR/MWIR dual-band camera with integral high-speed readout integrated circuit having independent gain and integration times for each band. The DROIC/DPROIC will maintain a pixel pitch of 8 microns or less, have a minimum size of 4 megapixels, and be capable of scaling (and/or tiling) to larger formats. The camera must be packaged in a fully integrated Dewar cooler assembly capable of stable operation anywhere from 100-160 Kelvin and equipped with optics having 1.5 or faster f-number with uniform IR transmission from 1-5 microns and 200 micro-radian instantaneous FOV (or less). The camera must include a Camera Link or equivalent data interface.

Develop and execute a test plan that fully characterizes the camera performance, especially highlighting the performance specific to the dual-band architecture. Deliver, to the Naval Research Laboratory, the prototype camera in a ready-to-use configuration and condition with user instructions and interface descriptions provided, including Camera Link (or equivalent) data output format with protocols defined and documented. Prepare an assessment of the technology readiness level (TRL) and manufacturing readiness level (MRL) and include in the Final Report.

It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see Description section for details).

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Support the Navy in transitioning the prototype developed in Phase II to Navy use. Scale the camera technology (i.e., FPA, readout integrated circuit, optics) to the large formats required for system use. Reduce and optimize pitch. Implement high frame rate windowing capability. Develop specific large format designs suited to and ruggedized for Navy use. Mature manufacturing processes and increase yield. Implement cost reduction measures and prepare documentation and process controls for large-scale production. Assist the Navy in integrating the technology into surface ship situational awareness multi-spectral camera systems.

The technology has multiple potential system applications throughout the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. Commercial applications include sophisticated surveillance cameras for law enforcement and scientific uses such as aerial assessment of vegetation and land use, and wildlife detection, identification, and tracking.

REFERENCES:

1. Pauli, M, et al. "Dual Waveband Signal Processing System." US Patent 5,371,542, December 6, 1994. https://patents.justia.com/patent/5371542

2. Poonnen, T.; McCotter, S.; Esparza, K. and Veeder, K. "Digital Readout Integrated Circuit for High Dynamic Range Infrared Imaging." Proceedings of SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing Conference, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2586719

3. "Camera Link, Specifications of the Camera Link Interface Standard for Digital Cameras and Frame Grabber." Automated Imaging Association. https://www.automate.org/vision/vision-standards/vision-standards-camera-link

4. National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual (NISP), 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq. (1993). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-B/chapter-XX/part-2004

KEYWORDS: Imaging Sensors; Dual-Band Camera; Focal Plane Array; Digital Readout Integrated Circuit; Extended Short-Wave Infrared; Mid-Wave Infrared; MWIR

TPOC 1
Myron Pauli
(202) 404-7675
myron.r.pauli.civ@us.navy.mil

TPOC 2
Dr. Ed Aifer
(202) 404-4548
edward.h.aifer.civ@us.navy.mil