ABSTRACT
The concept of common modules permits many manufacturers to make individual modules and then, because of rigid interface specifications on dimensions and performance, the various modules all work together to produce an efficient thermal imager. After gain matching and DC restoration the eight IR video signals are multiplexed together, via the BAND STORE to form a single TV video output. Because detector responses vary, the techniques of DC restoration and automatic responsivity control are required to provide uniform signals from each detector and therefore uniform displays. A Shepherd and Mooney [6] developed a model for an infrared thermal imager that operates in the staring mode. If an array of detectors could be manufactured with uniform output, then the processes of AC coupling, DC restoration, and responsivity control could be eliminated. This chapter introduces a space in which the number of electrons, associated with various sensor mechanisms, can be mapped as a function of counted photo electrons.
