Adaptive Infrared Imaging Spectroradiometer (AIRIS)
Capability Description: Our LWIR HSI systems utilize a piezoelectric-actuated Fabry Perot (FP) etalon operating in low interference orders (approximately 10 15 micron mirror spacing) that functions as a tunable interference filter to select the wavelength viewed by a focal plane array. The imaging capability of the sensor enables the use of advanced background estimation methods that are necessary to extract agent signatures from complex spectrally cluttered backgrounds while its spectral resolving capability enables discrimination of threat compounds from natural and battlefield interferants.
Key Features
(Left) Two AIRIS sensor heads designed for detecting chemical plumes at Dugway Proving Ground.
(Right) One AIRS sensor deployed at a fixed site installation and remotely operated from a kilometer away.
- Spectral Agility: AIRIS tune across a set of discrete wavelengths that have been intelligently selected for chemicals of interest, resulting in reduced data volume, maximum information input to spectral recognition algorithms, and increased measurement bandwidth of the sensor.
- Staring Mode Operation: The use of a FP etalon enables staring-mode operation and does not require sensor motion to acquire spatial information (in contrast to a push broom system) or a rotating mirror (in contrast to a whisk broom system).
- Automated Detection: Advanced background estimation methods coupled with spectral correlation algorithms enable discrimination of threat compounds from natural and battlefield interferants.
