DARPA looks to Sensors Unlimited to develop next-generation night-vision technology

PRINCETON, N.J.—The U.S. Defense Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Va., is choosing Sensors Unlimited Inc. in Princeton, N.J., to develop next-generation night-vision sensor technology for helmet-mounted and micro vehicle applications.

Sensors Unlimited is part of the Goodrich Corp. ISR Systems division in Charlotte, N.C.

Under terms of a 3-year contract, Sensors Unlimited will design and build prototypes of sensitive lightweight imaging cameras based on the company’s commercial shortwave infrared (SWIR) sensors. Sensors Unlimited is doing the work under supervision of DARPA’s MicroSensors for Imaging (MISI) program.

Sensors Unlimited engineers will develop indium gallium arsenide-night vision (InGaAs-NV) SWIR sensors into a 640-by-512-pixel resolution camera, which weighs less than 10 grams, for hand-launched unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, the company will deliver a 1280-by-1024-pixel head-mounted monocular.

SWIR technology detects reflected light at wavelengths that the human eye cannot see. It works in wavelength bands between visible and thermal cameras, an area that current night-vision technology cannot see.

Sensors Unlimited uses advanced materials and circuitry that enable the sensors to run without cooling. The company’s technology is used in applications ranging from non-invasive medical examinations to silicon wafer inspection.

Goodrich’s ISR Systems division designs and builds high-performance custom-engineered electronics, optics, shortwave infrared cameras and arrays, intelligence exploitation systems, and electro-optical products for defense, scientific, and commercial applications.

Sensors Unlimited Inc. designs and produces SWIR cameras and systems utilizing advanced InGaAs imaging technology for industrial, commercial, military, agricultural and scientific markets.

For more information, visit Sensors Unlimited online at www.sensorsinc.com.