The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 30, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 29, 2000
Barrett E. Cole, Bloomington, MN (US);
William J. Johnson, Hopkins, MN (US);
Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
Infrared scene projectors are useful in testing infrared surveillance and guidance equipment which identify and track objects, such as enemy missiles, based on their infrared emissions or heat-generation characteristics. Infrared scene projectors typically include a thermal pixel array which converts electrical input signals into a desired thermal or infrared image. One problem with conventional thermal pixel arrays is that each pixel has a unique ground voltage based on its point of connection to a ground terminal running through the array, making it difficult to precisely control the pixels. Accordingly, the present inventors devised not only innovative infrared pixel arrays and related control methods, but also infrared scene projectors incorporating them. In one exemplary pixel array, each pixel includes a resistor and a current-mirror circuit which enables control. Operating the array entails receiving a pixel-control voltage, converting the pixel-control voltage to a current, and then coupling the current to the current-mirror circuit in one of the pixels. The current mirror applies an appropriate control current to the resistor and thus enables operation of the pixel independent of ground-voltage variations.