Low Cost Microsensors Program

The objectives of the Low Cost Microsensors (LCMS) Program are twofold. The first is to develop and deliver a long-range infrared (IR) sensor built upon an uncooled vanadium oxide (VOx) 640 x 512 format focal plane array (FPA) engine. The second is to develop an expendable microsensor built upon a VOx 160 x 128 format FPA engine. The 640 x 480 sensor is applicable to long-range surveillance and targeting missions and is a reusable asset. The 160 x 120 sensor is designed for applications where miniaturization is required as well as low cost and low power. The 160 x 120 is also intended for expendable military applications. The intent of this DUS&T effort is to further reduce the cost, weight, and power of uncooled IR sensors, and to increase the capability of these sensors, thereby expanding their applicability to military and commercial markets never before addressed by thermal imaging.