Portable multiband imaging spectrometer
First Claim
1. Portable spectroradiometer apparatus for acquiring infrared, visible and ultraviolet emission data comprising:
- optical means comprising at least one spectrometer for processing at least infrared emissions or ultraviolet to visible light emissions, said emissions being independent of an applied artificial light source during data acquisition, including diffraction means disposed at a predetermined fixed angle with respect to a linear detector array, for spatially dispersing said emissions in accordance with predetermined spectral wavelengths, and having an entrance slit aperture defining a projected image,at least one said linear detector array disposed for receiving said projected image in the form of said spatially dispersed emissions and having sensing elements disposed in accordance with a predetermined wavelength resolution, said sensing elements having an aspect ratio substantially corresponding to the aspect ratio of said entrance slit aperture and being selectively photoresponsive in accordance with predetermined emission wavelengths, and for generating electrical signals in accordance with the amplitude of said spatially dispersed emissions,circuit means for processing said electrical signals, comprising means for converting the amplitude of said signals in analog form to digital signals, and means for converting said digital signals from a first digital word to a first sequential plurality of digital words, said plurality of digital words comprising a total number of digital bits corresponding to the number of digital bits in said first digital word, andmeans for sequentially applying said plurality of digital words to a parallel port of a digital computer, each digital word being transmitted in parallel binary digit form.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A light-weight, portable spectroradiometer provides a real-time data acquisition capability from 0.3 μm to 3.0 μm with selectable integration periods, and operates through a Centronics parallel port of a personal computer to program the spectrometer, store data, and to provide real time graphic output. Equipped with two spectrometers operating from a common optical input, high detector efficiency is obtained by structuring the detector elements for maximum energy gathering capability, matched to slit aperture size and orientation. No filters or mechanically driven mirrors are required, thereby permitting a compact, easily portable instrument. If desired, the detector array is readily adaptable to thermoelectric cooling.
58 Citations
11 Claims
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1. Portable spectroradiometer apparatus for acquiring infrared, visible and ultraviolet emission data comprising:
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optical means comprising at least one spectrometer for processing at least infrared emissions or ultraviolet to visible light emissions, said emissions being independent of an applied artificial light source during data acquisition, including diffraction means disposed at a predetermined fixed angle with respect to a linear detector array, for spatially dispersing said emissions in accordance with predetermined spectral wavelengths, and having an entrance slit aperture defining a projected image, at least one said linear detector array disposed for receiving said projected image in the form of said spatially dispersed emissions and having sensing elements disposed in accordance with a predetermined wavelength resolution, said sensing elements having an aspect ratio substantially corresponding to the aspect ratio of said entrance slit aperture and being selectively photoresponsive in accordance with predetermined emission wavelengths, and for generating electrical signals in accordance with the amplitude of said spatially dispersed emissions, circuit means for processing said electrical signals, comprising means for converting the amplitude of said signals in analog form to digital signals, and means for converting said digital signals from a first digital word to a first sequential plurality of digital words, said plurality of digital words comprising a total number of digital bits corresponding to the number of digital bits in said first digital word, and means for sequentially applying said plurality of digital words to a parallel port of a digital computer, each digital word being transmitted in parallel binary digit form. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of transferring data bidirectionally between a spectrometer and a Centronics parallel port, said port providing a plurality of data lines and control and status lines, wherein said transferred data is comprised of a 16-bit data word and said port is adapted for undirectional transmission of 8-bit bytes over its data lines to an external device, and reception of discrete status and control signals from said external device, comprising:
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providing digital output data from an output port of said spectrometer in a serial sequence of 4-bit data nibbles, a plurality of said 4-bit data nibbles comprising a 16-bit data word, executing a transfer of said serial sequence over said plurality of status lines to said parallel port, providing digital output data from said parallel port in a further serial sequence of 4-bit data nibbles, a plurality of said further 4-bit data nibbles comprising a 16-bit data word, and executing a transfer of said further serial sequence over said plurality of control lines from said parallel port to an input port of said spectrometer.
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Specification