Day/night observation technology.

Technology of observation devices “day/night”..

TECHNOLOGY OF OBSERVATION DEVICES “DAY/NIGHT” (End. Beginning in No. 6, 2002)

On armored vehicles (tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, combat reconnaissance vehicles, etc.) the commander's periscope observation devices are installed. They consist of a night channel based on an image intensifier tube and a day channel with separate eyepieces. Such devices, together with other observation and aiming devices for armored vehicles, deserve separate consideration. Therefore, here we will limit ourselves to providing only typical examples (Table 1, No. 6, 2002). Fig. 1 shows a typical optical diagram of the commander's device, where 1 is the night channel lens, 2 is the image intensifier tube, 3 is the night channel eyepiece, 4 is the day channel. Photo 1a shows the external appearance of the LRS-7 device by Delft Sensor Systems (Netherlands), photo 1b shows the SS122 device by GEC Sensors (Great Britain).

Fig. 1. Optical diagram of the commander’s device

Photo 1a) LRS-7 device;

Photo 1b) device SS 122

Photo 2 shows the appearance of the combined commander's device TKN-3KM [18]. In addition to passive-active devices of this type, the NPZ production association created the active-pulse combined commander's device night/day” TKN-AI (photo 3) [18, 19]. Due to its high noise immunity, its night channel can operate during the day in the active-pulse mode, which also allows for precise range measurement and operation in low atmospheric transparency at night. Both devices are based on the II+ generation image intensifier tube.

Photo 2. TKN-3KM device

Photo 3. TKN-AI device:
a) the device itself;
b) pulsed laser illuminator

Currently, there are television (TV) systems whose high sensitivity allows them to operate both during the day and at night [1]. Here, it is worth mentioning some “day/night” TV systems from Sanyo (Japan) (Table 1). TV cameras from this company provide automatic switching from daytime color mode to high-sensitivity night black-and-white mode depending on the level of external illumination [2]. The appearance of such a camera is shown in Photo 4. Photo 5 shows a VCC-4312P TV camera with the cover removed, where 1 is the color and black-and-white mode switch, 2 is the high-speed electronic shutter switch, 3 is the red and blue color adjustment knob, 4 is the white balance switch, 5 is the electronic exposure and backlight compensation control switch, 6 is the lens switch with automatic iris, 7 is the iris regulator, 8 is the CCD matrix position adjustment knob [2]. Switching from “color” to “high-sensitivity black and white” mode occurs at illumination from 1 to 3 lux, and vice versa – at illumination of about 10 lux. When the TV camera operates as a color one, the color fidelity is ensured by the automatic activation of the IR-cut filter, which is also automatically disabled when switching to the black and white mode. When using an additional IR illuminator, the TV camera can operate in this mode in complete darkness.

Photo 4. Day/Night TV Camera

Photo 5. VCC-4312P TV Camera

Table 1. Main Parameters of Sanyo 1/3-Inch Day/Night TV Cameras

Note.
When powered from a network of ~220-230 V 50 Hz, a network adapter with dimensions of 68x62x100 mm, weight 680 g, power consumption (with the connected camera) 5.3-5.7 W is used.

Xybion (USA) has developed a round-the-clock ISS-255 TV camera based on an image intensifier tube coupled with a CCD matrix (photo 6). The camera operates at illumination levels from 106 to 10-3 lux with a resolution of 400 TV lines [3].

Photo 6. ISS-255 TV camera

It is also worth dwelling on the day/night TV cameras of NPO Geofizika-NV [4, 5] (photo 7). The GEO-NTK4 system is designed to build survey stabilized systems for helicopters. It includes a low-level TV camera (photo 7a) based on a third-generation image intensifier tube, coupled with a CCD matrix with a pixel count of 752×582, and a daytime TV camera (photo 7b) (Table 2). The same company developed a helicopter-based round-the-clock stabilized TV system GEO-NTK5 (photo 8) with the same composition [5].

Photo 7. TV camera GEO-NTK4

Photo 8. GEO-NTK5 TV system

Table 2. Highly sensitive day/night class TV cameras” (according to company brochures)

Round-the-clock operation is provided by the Cyclone-DN/CCD-1,2 TV cameras developed by JSC TsNII Cyclone [6] (Table 2). In the Cyclone-DN/CCD-1 version, the night channel is equipped with an image intensifier tube + CCD matrix, and in the Cyclone-DN/CCD-2 version, a highly sensitive TV camera without an image intensifier tube. The devices provide discrete control of the pan and tilt device and the movement of TV cameras, remote transmission of images via a radio channel, and software control of the brightness and contrast alignment of the TV image with significant differences in illumination across the frame field.

The day/night mode is also provided by thermal imaging devices. They were discussed in detail in [7]. Here we should dwell on some typical representatives of this direction. The third-generation Matis device from Sagem (France) [8] can be made in a hand-held (photo 9a), portable (standard) (photo 9b) and transportable (photo 9c) version. The parameters of all device versions are given in Table 3, and the appearance of a typical image is shown in photos 10a, b, c, respectively. The LION thermal imaging device in a hand-held version from Signaal USFA (Netherlands) (photo 11) can also be made as a module that is an integral part of a fire control system, a night driving device for vehicles, a robotic device, etc. [9]. The portable Mikron device from Mikron Instrument Company Inc (USA) can be made in the form of two models: Model 7200 based on a microbolometer matrix with 320×240 elements and Model 5104 based on an HgCdTe matrix with 255×233 elements [10] (photo 12) (table 3).

Photo 9a. Matis thermal imaging device in a portable version

Photo 9b. Thermal imaging device Matis in a portable version

Photo 9c. Thermal imaging device Matis in a mobile version

Photo 10a. External appearance of the image observed in the Matis thermal imaging device in a portable version

Photo 10b. External appearance of the image observed in the Matis thermal imaging device in a portable version

Photo 10c. External appearance of the image observed
in the Matis thermal imaging device  version

Photo 11. LION thermal imaging device

Photo 12. Thermal imaging device Mikron

Table 3. Main parameters of typical small-sized thermal imaging devices (according to company brochures)

Day/night devices are most effective when several channels are combined into a single device. Photo 13 shows the appearance of such a system, the AN/VAS-11A NODLR from Kollsman (USA). It includes a night vision device based on an image intensifier, an AN/TVS-6A thermal imaging device, and an AN/GVS-5 laser rangefinder [11]. Such multichannel systems have already been discussed in [12]. Below we will consider some of their new models (Table 4).

Photo 13. Combined device
AN/VAS-11A NODLR from Kollsman (USA)

Table 4. Main parameters of typical multi-channel observation devices “day/night” (according to company brochures)

Photo 14 shows the TK-2 combined device with video recording of images (OAO ZOMZ) [13]. The video recording format is VHS, the recording device type is Panasonic RX-30. Objects are observed from the built-in LCD screen.

Photo 14. TKN-2 device

The portable multi-channel observation device TK-3 developed by JSC ZOMZ [13] consists of highly sensitive TV and thermal imaging channels, is based on a generation II+ image intensifier, and ensures detection and recognition of both openly located and camouflaged objects.

The Cyclone-DN/TV/TS day/night portable surveillance system [14] consists of modules of a thermal imaging channel based on a microbolometer matrix, night TV and daytime TV channels. The modular design principle allows for the possibility of supplementing the complex with a radar channel, a laser rangefinder, a GPS receiver, etc. [14]. Modifications with remote control of the swivel support, focusing and aperture of the lenses, image transmission via a radio channel, image digitization and input into a computer, angular scanning along a given trajectory are possible.

The combined device Topaz, developed by GUDP SKB TNV [15], contains a night channel based on a second-generation image intensifier and a thermal imaging channel based on a PbSe photodetector with 2×32 elements. The image in each channel is observed alternately.

The possibility of introducing a radar channel has already been discussed in [12]. The radar channel significantly expands the ability to detect objects of observation both during the day and at night. At the same time, its importance is especially great in conditions of reduced atmospheric transparency (fog, rain, etc.) due to better passage of radio wave radiation in the atmosphere with its reduced transparency compared to the IR and visible spectrum (Fig. 2) [16]. The radar channel ensures measurement of the distance to the object and its coordinates. Taking this into account, the RAPTOR “day/night” device was created, combining radar and thermal imaging channels [17]. The RAPTOR (Radar Plus Thermal Observation and Recognition) device by Thomson-CSF (France) is designed in a portable (photo 15) and mobile (Fig. 3) version. It can automatically detect and recognize targets, measure their coordinates and range with an accuracy of 20 m. Real-time image processing and digital input into a personal computer ensures high image quality. The portable version of the device uses a FLIR thermal imaging system in combination with a color daytime TV camera. These devices are installed together on a gyrostabilized platform weighing up to 34 kg and measuring Ж408.4х508 mm. The radar channel with an azimuth viewing angle of 3600 and a range of 0.1 to 40 km, together with the thermal imaging channel, are installed on a lifting telescopic mast, which is mounted on a vehicle.

Fig. 2. Atmospheric transparency for different spectral regions: 1 – drizzle (intensity 0.25 mm/hour), 2 – heavy rain (intensity 25 mm/hour), 3 – fog (visibility 50 m)

Photo 15. RAPTOR device in a portable version

Fig. 3. RAPTOR device in a mobile version

Thus, day/night devices are quite diverse and have wide, multifunctional capabilities.

Literature

1. Volkov V.G. Ultra-high-sensitivity television systems.//Special equipment, 2002, No. 4, pp. 2-11.

2. Video surveillance systems. Official catalog 2002 — 2003 of Sanyo Electric Co., Japan, 2002.

3. The smallest Intensified CCD Camera Aviable Anywhere. Advertisement of Xybion Electronic Systems, USA, 1997.

4. Round-the-clock television camera for survey stabilized systems of helicopters GEO-NTK4. Prospectus of FNPC «NPO Geofizika-NV», Russian Federation, Moscow, 2002.

5. Round-the-clock stabilized system for helicopters GEO-NTK5. Prospectus of FNPC NPO Geofizika-NV”, RF, M., 2002.

6. Low-level television video cameras “Cyclone-DN/CCD-1,2”. Prospectus of JSC Central Research Institute “Cyclone”, RF, M., 2001.

7. Volkov V.G., Kovalev A.P., Fedchishin V.G. New generation thermal imaging devices.//Special equipment. 2001, No. 6, pp. 16–21; 2002, No. 1, pp. 18–26.

8. Matis. 3rd generation thermal imager. Prospectus of Sagem, France, 2001.

9. LION. Lightweight infrared observation night sight. Signaal USFA Company brochure, Netherlands, 2001.

10. Mikron. Brochure of Mikron Instrument Company Inc., USA, 2001.

11. FLIR system. Brochure of Kollsman, USA, 1999.

12. Volkov V.G. Multichannel night vision devices for ground use.//Special equipment. 2001, 2, pp. 13 – 20.

13. Night vision devices TK-2, TK-3. Catalogue of JSC ZOMZ, Russian Federation, Sergiev Posad, 2000.

14. Cyclone-DN/TV/TS surveillance system. Brochure of JSC Cyclone, Russian Federation, Moscow, 2000.

15. Topaz combined surveillance device. Brochure of GUP SKB TNV, Russian Federation, Moscow, 2002.

16. Applely R., Gleed D.G., Anderton R.N. High-performance passive millimeter-wave imaging. Optical Enfineering, 1993, Vol.32, No.6, pp.1370 – 1373.

17. RAPTOR (Radar Plus Thermal Observation and Recognition). Brochure of Thomson-CSF, France, 1999.

18. Modernization of devices for armored vehicle commanders. Brochure of GUP PO “NPZ”, 2001.

19. Volkov V.G. Active-pulse night vision devices.//Special equipment, 2002, No.3, pp. 2 – 11.