초록 ▼

In a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, a scanning mirror views an external scene, and the infrared energy from the scanning mirror is directed along an optical path to a solid state detector. In the optical path there is a three-position mirror which is driven by an actuator to three predeterm

In a forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, a scanning mirror views an external scene, and the infrared energy from the scanning mirror is directed along an optical path to a solid state detector. In the optical path there is a three-position mirror which is driven by an actuator to three predetermined positions. The FLIR sensor also includes two thermal reference sources which are disposed on either side of the optical path and viewable by the three-position mirror. When in a neutral position the three-position mirror reflects the infrared energy from the external scene onto the detector. When the three-position mirror is moved away from the neutral position to two different predetermined positions, the three-position mirror views each of the thermal reference sources and reflects the thermal energy of the thermal reference sources onto the detector in order to provide two reference irradiance levels for the FLIR sensor.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved forward looking infrared sensor of the type having a first moveable mirror for reflecting infrared energy of an external scene along an optical path toward an infrared detector, wherein the improvement comprises: a second moveable mirror, disposed in the optical path, for reflecting infr

An improved forward looking infrared sensor of the type having a first moveable mirror for reflecting infrared energy of an external scene along an optical path toward an infrared detector, wherein the improvement comprises: a second moveable mirror, disposed in the optical path, for reflecting infrared energy onto the infrared detector; a first thermal reference source, disposed along one side of the optical path and viewable by the second moveable mirror, for providing thermal energy having a first predetermined temperature; a second thermal reference source, disposed along the opposite side of the optical path and viewable by the second moveable mirror, for providing thermal energy having a second predetermined temperature; and means for moving the second moveable mirror to predetermined positions such that the infrared detector selectively views the infrared energy from the external scene, the first thermal reference source, and the second thermal reference source in a predetermined order.