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True-color Night Vision Cameras
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General Features
 | Day/Night color imagery down to 1/4 moon conditions |
| Transition to monochrome imagery for lower light
conditions |
| Complimentary color filters (e.g., cyan, yellow,
magenta) for increased signal |
| Inclusion of near-infrared (NIR) light for increased
signal and also for viewing capability of IR laser aiming devices |
| Proprietary signal processing routines designed for
optimal information content. Features include:
 | Balance between noise and color fidelity based on
light level |
| Proper color generation even with inclusion of NIR |
| Noise reduction algorithms to mitigate speckle noise
associated with color imagery |
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Fast Liquid Crystal (LC) Filter
| Versatile system can be used with any low-light camera |
| Filter can be positioned out of optical path for
monochrome imagery |
| Fast switching for reduced dead time |
| No moving parts |
| All cameras in a single housing |
Image Intensified Bonded CMOS with LC Filter
| Fast CMOS with a maximum frame rate of 200
frames/second |
| On-board processor for real-time image analysis |
| Gen III blue-enhanced image intensifier for excellent
low-light sensitivity |
| Un-cooled sensor for lower power consumption |
| Digital gigabit-ethernet output for network interface,
web broadcast, and advanced applications |
| Additional analog output simplifies replacement of
older cameras |
EMCCD Camera with Mosaic Filter
| Mosaic filter allows for full color in every frame and
thus reduced motion blur |
| No intensifier tube means that there is no potential
damage due to bright lights |
| Anti-bloom features effectively increases dynamic
range, enabling the viewing of dim features in the presence of bright
lights |
| Single photon detection for these devices equates to
excellent low-light sensitivity |
| Digital USB 2.0 output allows for interface with laptop
or other processor for advanced applications |
| Additional analog output simplifies replacement of
older cameras |
Benefits of Color for Night Vision
| Human brain is wired for "true color" imagery
| Color improves scene understanding and identification |
| Reaction time is more rapid for color imagery |
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| Current intensified cameras only produce monochrome
images |
Application and Operational Use
| Reconnaissance, surveillance, target ID, friend or foe
identification (fratricide avoidance) |
| Carrier-deck night situational awareness; ship
perimeter monitoring |
| On shore facilities perimeter monitoring |
Monochrome and color low-light-level
imagery. The images illustrate the additional information that is available
with the inclusion of color. OKSI Papers on Color Night
Vision Kriesel, J. and Gat, N.,"True Color Night Vision Cameras" Proceedings SPIE, Vol. 6540, "Optics and Photonics in Global Homeland Security III," April 2007.
Kriesel, Jason and Gat, Nahum,"Performance Tests of True Color Night Vision Cameras", Military Sensing
Symposia (MSS) Specialty Group on Passive Sensors. Orlando, FL.
February 2006 Kriesel, J. Gat, N,
"Figures of Merit for True-Color Image-Intensified Cameras", Military
Sensing Symposia (MSS) Specialty Group on Passive Sensors, Charleston, SC.
February 2005. |
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