Application Spotlight: Security & Surveillance
Infrared imaging technology is critical for a wide range of UAV security and surveillance use cases, and the creation of high-performance IR zoom lenses for DRI (detection, recognition, and identification) comes with numerous challenges. MKS Ophir’s innovative SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR solutions have been expertly designed to solve these issues.
Technological Improvements – New sensors are constantly being developed with smaller pixels and increased resolution. IR imaging developers must strive to avoid “optics-limitation” – a condition where system performance is primarily constrained by the optics, rather than by the sensor.
Ophir’s comprehensive suite of capabilities allows us to address even the most demanding resolution and optical performance requirements for DRI lenses. We can use virtually any desired surface shape or type to ensure that our products achieve high MTF targets, minimize chromatic aberrations, and maintain superior performance throughout the entire zoom range. Our high-precision fabrication techniques also ensure that we maintain excellent levels of quality and reproducibility in production.
SWaP-C Optimization – Size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) optimization has become particularly important as the use of UAVs and drones has increased. By utilizing a variety of advanced IR materials, we can minimize total part counts and use a single zoom lens instead of multiple, single-focal length lenses to reduce overall system footprint while still maintaining high performance.
Environmental Durability – By using advanced materials and hard carbon (HC/DLC) and high-durability (HD) coatings, we can create lenses that can withstand the harsh environmental conditions experienced during many security and surveillance operations. Our products are ruggedized against a wide range of factors, including extreme temperatures, rain, fog, dust, saltwater spray, shock and vibration.
Multispectral Operation – Imaging systems for security and surveillance often require operation over multiple spectral bands simultaneously, as no one band provides optimal results under every single set of conditions. SWIR is the best range for very long-range daytime observation, while MWIR is suitable for very long-range observation both during the day and at night. Both MWIR and SWIR perform well under harsh environmental conditions such as smoke, dust, heavy haze and high humidity. In addition, LWIR is the preferred spectral range for observing burning targets and against sun glints. Ophir provides solutions to address any combination of these requirements.
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This business has been claimed by MKS-Ophir and verified by UST.
SupIR 60-1200mm f/4
