Rugged Cameras for Airborne Payloads

Airborne sensor systems on manned or unmanned vehicles provide wide area observation, autonomous tracking, coordinate generation, positive identification from the air to the ground, and more.

Due to changing requirements from the end-users in the defense industry, imaging capabilities in the visible spectrum are becoming mandatory. In the past daylight cameras were optional and of lower imaging quality, now there is a need for existing (upgrades) and new sensor payloads to add the capability of obtaining high quality full motion video throughout the day and night. This is as applicable for search & rescue missions as it is for military operations.

Today there is a need from the market to move to HD resolution and beyond to increase the detection ranges and/or increase fields of view for improved situational awareness. This includes requirements of greater low light capabilities. With an increase in the number of sensors (cameras) in the systems, size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) are focus areas to ensure a seamless integration into the system and the market. This means the electronics design of the camera needs to be small, power efficient and preferably compliant with standardized interfaces. The image sensor selections of the camera need to be in line with available space for matching optics. Therefore ½” through 1” CCD or CMOS image sensors can be utilized depending on the platform type, size and operational profile.

Previously the daylight or video camera was only useful in well-lit situations but with latest image sensor and image processing technologies it is now possible to use the daylight cameras in low light to complement the other cameras in the EO/IR imaging system. The excellent sensitivity of the image sensor is combined with advanced image processing so HD images are possible from dawn to dusk.

Adimec’s rugged full HD digital cameras combine excellent sensitivity and image quality with long-term stability in extreme environmental conditions. Cameras can be supplied with full HD color processing or full HD monochrome sensors for cases where the user is looking at great distances with a small field of view (for example as a spotter camera). Outline options, including board level designs provide flexibility to meet different space envelopes. The TMX-DHD cameras provide a wide number of functionalities and video interfaces to meet the high demands of the manufacturers and end-users of these high-tech systems.