Focal plane imaging array with internal calibration source

• US 5,438,336 A
• Filed: 11/12/1993
• Issued: 08/01/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Pearlman, Jay S., Lam, Wayne W., Lee, Paul S. C., Chow, Pei-Ming D., Berenz, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US08/151,713
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 342/25, 342/52, 342/53, 342/54, 342/66, 342/91, 342/92, 342/167, 342/174
• US Class Current: 342/174
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/006 using measurement of the effect of a material on microwaves or longer electromagnetic waves, e.g. measuring temperature via microwaves emitted by the object G01K17/003, G01J5/00 take precedence; measuring the effect of a material on X-, gamma- or particle radiation G01K11/30
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 22/00 Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more G01N3/00 - G01N17/00, G01N24/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/005 operating with millimetre waves, e.g. measuring the black losey radiation

Abstract

A focal plane imaging array (FPIA) (16) for use in a direct detection imaging device (10) for conducting radiometric imaging at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies is disclosed as having an internal electronic calibration source (36). The plurality of energy detecting pixel elements (14) which comprise the FPIA (16) include a detection circuit (34) and a calibration circuit (36). The calibration circuit (36) is uni-directionally coupled to the detection circuit (34) to allow a known calibration signal "pulse" to be introduced into the detection circuit (34). The calibration pulse is processed by the pixel detection circuit and the output signal is compared with the pixel'"'"'s responsivity value. Adjustments in the pixel gain and sensitivity may then be made as appropriate.

Claims

1. An energy detecting pixel element for use in a focal plane imaging array for a direct detection imaging device, said pixel element comprising a detection circuit for receiving and detecting radiant electromagnetic energy at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies, a calibration circuit for calibrating said pixel element, said calibration circuit being electronically coupled to said detection circuit by a directional coupler, said directional coupler being operable to enable a known portion of a calibration signal to be introduced into said detection circuit from said calibration circuit, and wherein said detection circuit, said calibration circuit and said directional coupler are monolithically integrated onto a single computer chip.

2. The pixel element of claim 1 wherein said detection circuit comprises receiving antenna means, first amplification means, bandwidth filter means and video detection means and said calibration circuit comprises impedance means, second amplification means and resistance means.

3. The pixel element of claim 2 wherein said receiving antenna means is optimized for receiving signals at frequencies ranging from 10 to 100 GHz.

4. The pixel element of claim 3 wherein said receiving antenna means is a Vivaldi antenna.

5. The pixel element of claim 2 wherein said first amplification means is capable of providing signal gain on the order of about 40 to 60 dB while having a noise figure ranging from about 0.5 dB to 5.5 dB over a frequency range of about 10 to 100 GHz.

6. The pixel element of claim 2 wherein said video detection means has a responsivity of about 7.2 V/mW and a tangential sensitivity of about -43 dBm at a frequency of about 94 GHz.

7. The pixel element of claim 6 wherein said video detection means is a beam-lead Schottky diode.

8. A focal plane imaging array for use in a direct detection imaging device for conducting radiometric imaging at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies, comprising:

a plurality of energy detecting pixel elements for receiving and detecting radiant electromagnetic energy at microwave or millimeter-wave frequencies and generating an output signal, each said pixel element including a detection circuit for detecting said radiant electromagnetic energy, a calibration circuit for calibrating said output signal of each said pixel, and a directional coupler, said directional coupler being operable to enable a know portion of a calibration signal to be introduced into said detection circuit from said calibration circuit, and wherein said detection circuit, said calibration circuit and said directional coupler are monolithically integrated onto a single computer chip.

9. The focal plane imaging array of claim 8 wherein said detection circuit comprises receiving antenna means, first amplification means, bandwidth filter means and video detection means and said calibration circuit comprises impedance means, second amplification means and resistance means, and said directional coupler is a uni-directional coupler.

10. The focal plane imaging array of claim 9 wherein said receiving antenna means is optimized for receiving signals at frequencies ranging from 10 to 100 GHz.

11. The focal plane imaging array of claim 10 wherein said receiving antenna means is a Vivaldi antenna.

12. The focal plane imaging array of claim 9 wherein said first amplification means is capable of providing signal gain on the order of about 40 to 60 dB while having a noise figure ranging from about 0.5 dB to 5.5 dB over a frequency range of about 10 to 100 GHz.

13. The focal plane imaging array of claim 9 wherein said video detection means has a responsivity of about 7.2 V/mW and a tangential sensitivity of about -43 dBm at a frequency of about 94 GHz.

14. The focal plane imaging array of claim 13 wherein said video detection means is a beam-lead Schottky diode.

15. A direct detection imaging device for conducting radiometric imaging at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies, comprising:

an optical system for collecting radiant electromagnetic energy emitted or reflected at microwave or millimeter-wave frequencies by unknown objects in a field of view;

a focal plane imaging array comprising a plurality of energy detecting pixel elements for receiving and detecting said radiant electromagnetic energy and generating an output signal;

processing electronics for communicating with said pixel elements of said focal plane array, generating a calibration signal for calibrating said pixel elements and processing said output signal and generating image data; and

an output display unit for displaying a resultant visible image;

wherein

each said pixel element is comprising a detection circuit and a calibration circuit, said calibration circuit being electronically coupled to said detection circuit by a directional coupler, said directional coupler being operable to enable a known portion of said calibration signal to be introduced into said detection circuit from said calibration circuit, and wherein said detection circuit, said calibration circuit and said directional coupler are monolithically integrated onto a single computer chip.

16. An energy detecting pixel element for use in a focal plane imaging array for a direct detection imaging device, said pixel element comprising detection means for receiving and detecting radiant electromagnetic energy at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies and electronic calibration means for calibrating said pixel element, said calibration means including coupling means for electronically coupling said calibration means to said detection means to enable a known portion of a calibration signal to be introduced into said detection means from said calibration means, and wherein said detection means and said calibration means are monolithically integrated onto a single computer chip.