By topic (Uncooled Sensors)


March 2024

February 2024

January 2024

Sony Launches Ultra-small pixel InGaAs FPAsPREMIUM

Integrators Don’t Hesitate to Incorporate Them

December 2023

November 2023

October 2023

September 2023

Chinese Infrared Companies Ups and DownsPREMIUM

The relative standings of the chief players

August 2023

July 2023

June 2023

May 2023

April 2023

March 2023

February 2023

IVAS UpdatePREMIUM

January 2023

December 2022

November 2022

Obsidian Launching Novel Uncooled Sensors for Automotive ApplicationsPREMIUM

Samples Being Provided to Customers.

October 2022

New DARPA Program Aims to Develop Optomechanical Uncooled IR DetectorsPREMIUM

Seeks the Performance of Current Cooled Detectors at Room Temperature

IVAS UpdatePREMIUM

September 2022

August 2022

July 2022

June 2022

May 2022

Large Scale Microbolometer Production Based on Display Manufacturing TechnologiesPREMIUM

Obsidian Sensors Gets Ready to Release First Sensors

March 2022

February 2022

January 2022

IVAS UpdatePREMIUM

December 2021

November 2021

October 2021

September 2021

Breakthrough for Infrared Use in Commercial AviationPREMIUM

Collins Aerospace Lands First EFVS Award by a Major Carrier

August 2021

July 2021

June 2021

New Study Shows the Ineffectiveness of Thermal Screening for COVID-19PREMIUM

But Some Corporate Managers Continue to Favor the Technology

Teledyne DALSA Launching New Uncooled CameraPREMIUM

Based on new high dynamic range 12 µm core

May 2021

Improving Uncooled Sensors with Phononic CrystalsPREMIUM

A potential for dramatic improvements

April 2021

March 2021

Infrared Imaging Market Growth in 2020 and the Outlook for the Next 5 YearsPREMIUM

Upheaval with EST/Fever Screening in 2020. Traditional Infrared Markets Bouncing Back in 2021

Canon Introduces Automated Temperature Screening TabletPREMIUM

More Hype in Fever Screening

February 2021

The Teledyne Acquisition of FLIR SystemsPREMIUM

What the Presentations Did Not Say

January 2021

IVAS Program Ready to Move into ProductionPREMIUM

Virtual Reality Headset with Fused Infrared and Digital Low-Light Sensors

December 2020

November 2020

October 2020

New Level of Hype and Misinformation about Temperature/Fever ScannersPREMIUM

SafeCheck USA Claims Its Point Scanner on a Frame Can Outperform Thermal Imagers

New Clinical Study by FDA on Fever Screening ThermographyPREMIUM

Potential Usefulness of Full-face Thermograms

September 2020

August 2020

Kiosk-type Temperature Screening is BoomingPREMIUM

U.S. Government Solicitations Jump on the Bandwagon

July 2020

June 2020

May 2020

Raytheon Technologies Emerges from Raytheon/UTC MergerPREMIUM

Raytheon/UTC merger closes

April 2020

March 2020

FWS-I Program to Ramp UpPREMIUM

Program Expanding, Seeking Second Source

February 2020

FLIR Systems Focuses on Automotive Pedestrian Detection SystemsPREMIUM

Achieves Good Results with Fused Thermal/Radar Sensor on Test Track

January 2020

December 2019

The Latest News in EFVS (Enhanced Flight Vision Systems) for PilotsPREMIUM

Passive millimeter wave (PMMW) joins infrared EFVS and Synthetic Vision

November 2019

DARPA WIRED Program Goes into Final PhasePREMIUM

HOT Wafer-level FPAs fabricated directly on silicon ROICs

Chinese Companies Hikvision and Dahua Sanctioned by U.S. PREMIUM

Placed on Entity List by U.S. Department of Commerce Sanction for Human Rights violations

Current Pedestrian Detection Systems Don’t Work, AAA SaysPREMIUM

Why the surprise, when none of them make use of thermal imaging

October 2019

Hikvision’s Strategy for Major Growth in Infrared SecurityPREMIUM

China's Leading Company in Infrared Security on the Move

September 2019

August 2019

Lightpath Infrared Lens Business Lands New OrdersPREMIUM

Company Consolidating Operations

July 2019

L3Harris Technologies Emerges After the Merger of L3 and HarrisPREMIUM

An Infrared Powerhouse and the Sixth Largest Defense Company in the U.S.

Schneider Electric Completes Sale of Pelco to Private Equity Firm Transom CapitalPREMIUM

Pelco Introducing New Thermal Security Cameras

June 2019

Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) Ready to Move into Commercial AirlinesPREMIUM

Certification expected by early 2020 for an Airbus aircraft

May 2019

Schneider Electric Selling PelcoPREMIUM

Planning to Introduce New Thermal Imaging Security Cameras

April 2019

UTC Divests N2 Imaging SystemsPREMIUM

One-time high-flier beset by canceled programs

LA Fire Department Goes 100% Thermal PREMIUM

All Los Angeles firefighters being equipped with Seek Thermal infrared imagers

Small Pixel Uncooled Microbolometer Market Splits into Two Halves as Some Suppliers Concentrate on Larger Formats OnlyPREMIUM

In an effort to stay out of highly competitive commercial markets some microbolometer suppliers are staying out of the mid-format (320 x 240) small pixel (10-12 µm) market.

March 2019

Infrared Imaging Market Growth in 2018 and the Outlook for the Next 5 YearsPREMIUM

The growth of commercial and dual-use infrared imaging markets in 2018 was mixed, with some applications flat, while others grew at double digits.

Niche Process Control with High-Speed Uncooled PbSe FPAsPREMIUM

New Infrared Technologies, NIT, (Madrid, Spain) has developed several in-line process applications for its PbSe FPAs.

SWIR Colloidal Quantum Dot (CQD) Cameras Go to MarketPREMIUM

After a long development phase, SWIR Colloidal Quantum Dot (CQD) cameras are now being shipped to customers.

Collins Aerospace EFVS to Fly on New Supersonic DemonstratorPREMIUM

Uncooled multi-sensor for takeoffs and landings

February 2019

Rapid Innovation Fund Solicitations in Infrared PREMIUM

The Rapid Innovation Fund seeks the rapid insertion of innovative technologies into military systems or programs that meet critical national security needs. Infrared projects are outlined,

Sofradir and Ulis Investing 150 Million Euros to Develop Next Generation InfraredPREMIUM

Sofradir plans new compound semiconductors and Ulis plans for smart sensors

Thermal Imaging for Autonomous Vehicles at CESPREMIUM

The 2019 Consumer Electronics Show displayed a push by suppliers of thermal imaging systems to have their technology included in self-driving cars.

January 2019

Global Military Infrared Market Hits Record Growth in 2018PREMIUM

Global military infrared imaging systems grew 9% in 2018, mainly driven by advances in the U.S., where there was an increase in the defense budget along with pent-up demand for upgrading existing infrared systems. This, along with the development of advanced new infrared detector technologies is expected to drive the military infrared imaging market to $14 billion by 2023.

IVAS Awards for Infrared Sensor DevelopmentPREMIUM

Awards for the sensor development portion of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program have been made by the Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD).

Single Photon SWIR LiDAR for Autonomous VehiclesPREMIUM

Argo AI which acquired Princeton Lightwave, has developed a LiDAR system based on InGaAsP Geiger mode Avalanche Photodiodes (GmAPDs) for autonomous vehicles. The GmAPDs, which operate in the SWIR (1.55 µm) spectrum and have single photon sensitivity, have a number of advantages over most LiDARs used in self driving cars which make use of near infrared (900 nm) GaAs lasers and silicon-based detectors. The most important of these advantages is the eye-safe wavelength of SWIR operation.

December 2018

Next Generation Combat Vehicle (NGCV) Sensors to be AwardedPREMIUM

A wide variety of infrared sensors are being included in NGCV

Emerging Technologies – New ControlsPREMIUM

By Steve Tribble, Lakewood Technologies

 

New Export Controls on Emerging Technologies

Ultra Low-Cost Firefighting Thermal Imager Making Inroads in Urban Fire DepartmentsPREMIUM

Seek Thermal is making inroads in large fire department with its palm-sized firefighting camera.

JVC KENWOOD Developing Infrared Automotive Night Vision SystemPREMIUM

The Japanese company JVC KENWOOD is developing an automotive night vision system based on uncooled microbolometers. The system is expected to be used for both conventional cars and autonomous cars.

November 2018

3M Scott Breaks New Ground in the Pricing of Firefighting Thermal ImagersPREMIUM

3M Scott is putting pressure on the mainstream firefighting market by introducing a thermal imaging camera (TIC) with a 320 x 240 VOx uncooled microbolometer for $2K.

Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) are About to Bring Aircraft All the Way to TouchdownPREMIUM

The certification of EFVS to touchdown represents a milestone in the use of infrared systems for aircraft and is the first step in leading to the incorporation of EFVS in air transport (commercial airliners.)

Seek Thermal Launching New Handheld Thermal Imager for Building and Electrical InspectionPREMIUM

Seek Thermal is launching two new palm-sized thermal imagers based on the company’s 12 micron VOx microbolometers: Seek Shot (206 x 156) and Seek ShotPro (320 x 240)

Sensors Unlimited/UTAS Develops World’s Largest InGaAs FPA and CameraPREMIUM

Sensors Unlimited/UTAS (Princeton, New Jersey) has developed a 4K x 4K InGaAs FPA with 5 µm pixel pitch, the largest InGaAs FPA ever. A NIR/SWIR camera based on this FPA has also been developed for use on the Marine Corps RQ-21A Blackjack UAV.

October 2018

SCD Launching New XBn and InGaAs Cores for SWaP ApplicationsPREMIUM

SCD has developed a new low SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) MWIR XBn core, as well as a 1280 x 1024 InGaAs core with 10 micron pixels.

FLIR Systems Completes Development of Ultra-compact InGaAs CorePREMIUM

FLIR Systems has developed the most compact, lightweight InGaAs core available

Funding of $548 Million for High-Priority Soldier System Approved by CongressPREMIUM

The reprogramming of $548 million for the U.S. Army’s HUD 3.0/IVAS program has been approved by Congress. Funds are being moved from the Defense Health Program’s operations and maintenance account to the research and development account for the development of the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS), a soldier system that will make extensive use of infrared detectors and digital low-light-level detectors.

Monolithic Metalenses for T2SL FPAs Promise to Improve Sensitivity and Operating TemperaturePREMIUM

Microlens based metalenses have the potential of being monolithically integrated with infrared FPAs to increase FPA operating temperature and sensitivity.

St. Johns Optical Infrared Development Stalls After Exit of Key PeoplePREMIUM

St. Johns Optical Systems, SJOS, Sanford, Florida, has halted development on a  number of major development programs after the departure of key people, including researchers who had been carrying out PbSe FPA and infrared camera development.

September 2018

New Infrared Soldier System on Fast TrackPREMIUM

A new capability called HUD 3.0/IVAS (Head Up Display/Integrated Visual Augmentation System) is on a fast-track to provide greatly enhanced mobility and situational awareness to Soldiers and Marines. The system will feature advanced digital infrared, digital low-light-level and fused sensors, together with artificial intelligence, live reality and integration with Nett Warrior (an Android-based smartphone.) The system will also have a Synthetic Training capability.

The system is getting funding and attention from the Top at DoD

BAE Systems Reorganizes Commercial Uncooled Core BusinessPREMIUM

BAE Systems (Lexington, Massachusetts; Nashua, New Hampshire) is reorganizing its commercial uncooled core business. The responsibility for marketing and sales of uncooled VOx cores is now in Lexington at the location of the company’s uncooled foundry.

August 2018

Raytheon Vision Systems Looking to Leverage Infrared Detector PortfolioPREMIUM

Raytheon Vision Systems (Goleta, California) is in the fortunate position of having the largest portfolio of advanced infrared detectors in the world, including mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), InSb, InGaAs, uncooled VOx microbolometers and others. Recently, the company’s III-V T2SL (Type II Superlattice)/nBn detectors have also reached a level of maturity that enabled Raytheon to win the contract for the next-generation Distributed Aperture System (DAS) for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

July 2018

Sofradir Reorganizes – Takes Advantage of Synergies Between Cooled and Uncooled BusinessesPREMIUM

Sofradir and Ulis are reorganizing in an effort to make their infrared detector businesses more efficient. In order to do so, the new management team will exploit synergies between the cooled Sofradir operations and the uncooled microbolometer operations of Ulis

Twelve departments are being set up, among them two new ones: Technology & Strategy and Projects & Programs. All of the departments will be common to both the cooled Sofradir and uncooled Ulis businesses. Previously, the Sofradir and Ulis operations had separate groups handling these functions.

Army Moves Fast to Implement ENVG-B as Follow-on to ENVG IIIPREMIUM

ENVG-B (Enhanced  Night Vision Goggle – B), an enhanced version of ENVG III, will work together with the Family of Weapon Sights – Individual (FWS-I) or can be used independently. It will replace ENVG-III.

June 2018

Start-Up Copious Imaging Taking Digital-pixel Readouts to New LevelPREMIUM

Copious Imaging (Lexington, Massachusetts), a spin-off of MIT Lincoln Labs, intends to transform infrared Read-out Integrated Circuits (ROICs) by not only placing a small low-power analog-to-digital converter at each pixel to form a DROIC (Digital-pixel ROIC) but also provide each pixel with computational capability to produce "Computational Pixel Imagers."

ENVG-B is Poised to become a Major Program with First AwardPREMIUM

ENVG-B, a binocular version of the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle, is moving rapidly into Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD).

ENVG-B will be similar to ENVG III, fusing images from an image intensifier with those from a microbolometer. However, ENVG-B will have the option to be used as either a fused monocular or as a binocular (ENVG III is monocular only).

Competition Heats Up for Thermal Security CamerasPREMIUM

Several big Asian companies in video security are releasing new thermal security cameras.

May 2018

DRS Launches 10 Micron Uncooled CorePREMIUM

Leonardo DRS is launching its TENUM™640 core, based on a Wafer-Level-Packaged (WLP) 640 x 512 VOx microbolometer with the smallest pixel size (10 µm) available anywhere.

FLIR Systems Launching New Infrared Security LinePREMIUM

FLIR Systems is launching a new line of infrared cameras for perimeter security that make maximum use of its highly integrated Lepton thermal cores. The Saros line is intended to provide minimum false alarms and the maximum in ease of installation for installers with no lens options to worry about.

Saros includes multiple FLIR Lepton® thermal sensors (160 x 120/12) with images stitched together, one or more 1080p or 4K cameras, IR and visible LED illuminators, advanced onboard analytics, two-way audio, and digital input/output.

Ulis Achieves Record Fast Response MicrobolometersPREMIUM

Ulis has developed an amorphous silicon (a-Si) microbolometer with a record low thermal time constant of 2.5 ms which allows imaging of fast events.

Pelco Suspends Sales of Thermal Security CamerasPREMIUM

Pelco, Schneider Electric, has discontinued sales of its thermal security cameras, the Sarix TI line, which were based on Ulis amorphous silicon (a-Si) microbolometers.

April 2018

Infrared Imaging Markets Continue Record GrowthPREMIUM

In 2017, world Commercial and Dual-Use Infrared Imaging markets continued the fourth straight year of record unit shipments. The number of uncooled detectors increased by over 30% to reach nearly 1.3 million units. However, severe price reductions have resulted in revenue growth of only 11% - for a total commercial and dual-use market (cooled and uncooled) of $3.8 billion.

L3 Restructures Uncooled Infrared BusinessPREMIUM

L3 Technologies is making changes to its uncooled amorphous silicon (a-SI) microbolometer business. The company’s L3 Sensor Technologies (formerly L3 Infrared Products in Garland, Texas) is moving its front-end production of FPAs to TSI Semiconductors (Roseville, California), while vacuum Wafer-Level-Packaging (WLP) is being moved to Mason, Ohio. By the end of the year, the Garland facility is expected to be shut down, with only design engineering remaining in the Dallas, Texas area.

Autoliv Spins Off Electronics and Automotive Thermal Night VisionPREMIUM

Autoliv (Stockholm, Sweden) is spinning off its Electronics business to the new company Veoneer, Inc.

Xenics Improves InGaAs FPAsPREMIUM

Xenics (Leuven, Belgium) has improved its InGaAs FPAs by significantly introducing the dark current of its detectors

March 2018

Start-Up Introducing SWIR Colloidal Quantum Dot (CQD) CamerasPREMIUM

Start-up, SWIR Vision Systems (Durham, North Carolina) is launching a line of large format SWIR cameras (“Acuros”) based on Colloidal Quantum Dot (CQD) FPAs that were developed at RTI International (Research Triangle Park, North Carolina). The solution-processed FPAs  are much less costly to produce than InGaAs FPAs which have to undergo semiconductor processing and hybridization to a readout IC.

February 2018

Seek Thermal Launching Low-cost Night Vision for the Automotive After-MarketPREMIUM

Seek Thermal (Goleta, California) is introducing an after-market night vision system for cars based on the company’s 320 x 240/12 VOx microbolometer.

December 2017

November 2017

DRS 10 Micron Microbolometer Reaching New Level of Readiness PREMIUM

Military Version to be Fully Qualified by 1Q18, Commercial Core to Follow

October 2017

September 2017

August 2017

July 2017

June 2017

Standardizing SWIR MeasurementsPREMIUM

A Proposed New Radiometric Unit

IR Sensors Start-Up Aims to Take on PIR Security MarketPREMIUM

Mosaic microbolometer pixel technology

May 2017

L3 Infrared Products Readies Release of 12 Micron MicrobolometersPREMIUM

Improves Performance of both 12 and 17 micron FPAs

Aselsan Developing Infrared Detector CapabilityPREMIUM

Uncooled fab already under construction

April 2017

3M Buying Scott SafetyPREMIUM

Another Re-alignment in Fire Fighting Thermal Imagers

March 2017

February 2017

January 2017

New FAA Rule Opens the Door to Widespread Use of Infrared Aircraft Landing SystemsPREMIUM

Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS) with both cooled and uncooled FPAs

December 2016

Elbit Consolidating EVS Businesses in U.S. and IsraelPREMIUM

Cooled and uncooled for commercial aircraft pilots

November 2016

October 2016

The Latest Progress in Ultra-Low-Cost HgTe Quantum Dots for Infrared ImagingPREMIUM

Good Initial Images in the MWIR – But Much Remains to Be Done

Crew-Served Weapon Sight (FWS-CS) Awards Made to DRS and BAE SystemsPREMIUM

Another Step in Ramping up Uncooled Sensors

September 2016

August 2016

DARPA WIRED Program Aims to Move Infrared Detectors to a New LevelPREMIUM

Multi-megapixel infrared imaging at room temperature for wafer-level scalable FPAs at low-cost

U.S. Export Control Reform of Infrared in the Home StretchPREMIUM

Category XII of the USML (ITAR sensors) and the Export Administration Regulations administered by the Commerce Department have been agreed to by an interagency process (including the Commerce Department (BIS), the Defense Department and the State Department). CAT XII final rules have been submitted by BIS and the State Department to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).  

July 2016

June 2016

Gas Imaging Using Uncooled FPAsPREMIUM

Imaging of gas leaks (especially of methane, but also of other gases) has traditionally been done with portable infrared cameras based on cooled InSb and QWIP FPAs. In these, either the FPA spectral response is tuned to the absorption wavelength of the gas of interest or a spectral filter is used in front of it. Alternatively, high-end spectrally selective (Fourier Transform Infrared – FTIR) cameras (also based on cooled FPAs) are used to detect gas leaks with high sensitivity, but at a price premium.

 

Now, a new generation of innovative uncooled gas sensors are being developed to not just monitor large gas leaks but also act as monitors for small leaks.

APS Systems: A Future Big Market for Infrared FPAs?PREMIUM

Active Protection Systems (APS) for armored vehicles are becoming a necessity as rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and anti-armor munitions become more effective against even the best armor. In APS systems an incoming round is detected and tracked and a counter munition is fired to destroy the round before it can damage the vehicle.

In the most recent systems, infrared FPAs are being used.

May 2016

St. Johns Optical Licenses Lead Selenide Detector FPA TechnologiesPREMIUM

Solution deposited and thermal vapor deposited.

Airbus Defense Electronics Business to be Acquired by KKRPREMIUM

A new home for Airbus DS Optronics

 

April 2016

Teledyne Dalsa Launching Uncooled Camera CorePREMIUM

Teledyne Dalsa (Waterloo, Canada) is releasing a new uncooled camera, Calibir, based on a Ulis 640 x 480 amorphous silicon microbolometer with 17 micron pixels.

March 2016

Commercial and Dual Use Infrared Imaging Market at the CrossroadsPREMIUM

Big Increases in Unit Volumes Have Not Translated to Revenue Growth

February 2016

FLIR Systems Breaks New Ground with Uncooled CoresPREMIUM

FLIR Systems is launching its Boson™ cores - 12 µm pitch, wafer-level-packaged (WLP) VOx microbolometer arrays with 320 x 256 and 640 x 512 formats - that provide new levels of performance in tiny packages.

FAA Guidance on Synthetic Vision Systems (SVS) is Another Step toward Combined EVS/SVS PREMIUM

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an Airworthiness Circular with guidance for obtaining airworthiness approval for installation of a Synthetic Vision System (SVS) – which the FAA calls a “Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS)” - in aircraft.

SPIE’s IR Technology and Applications Conference – A Preview PREMIUM

Three SPIE infrared technology and application conferences – all part of SPIE’s DCS16 Defense & Security symposium – will feature the latest developments in IR technology and sensor systems. Two sessions of the “Infrared Technology and Applications XLII” conference have been separated from that conference. They have been expanded into two new conferences – “Advanced Optics for Defense Applications: UV through LWIR” and “Tri-Technology Device Refrigeration (TTDR)”. The reasons for this separation are the important new developments taking place in the fields of optics and cryocoolers.

January 2016

Seek Thermal Rolling Out Mid-Format Uncooled CorePREMIUM

Seek Thermal (Goleta, California) is ready to go into production with a new uncooled core based on Wafer-Level-Packaged (WLP) 320 x 240 VOx microbolometers with 12 micron pixels, a significant upgrade over the company’s existing 206 x 156/12 microbolometers.

UTC Hits Home Run with N2 AcquisitionPREMIUM

UTC Aerospace Systems (UTAS) has acquired N2 Imaging Systems (Irvine, California). N2, which will stay at its current location, will be part of the UTAS intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) business, which includes Sensors Unlimited and Cloud Cap Technology (Hood River, Oregon).

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. However, DRS’s stake in N2 was also acquired, thus making UTAS the sole owner.

 

December 2015

i3system Prepares to Launch Smartphone thermal Imager in U.S.PREMIUM

i3system (Daejon, South Korea) is preparing to launch its Thermal Expert™ smartphone thermal imager in the U.S. The company’s thermal imaging attachment makes use of i3systems’ own 384 x 288 uncooled microbolometer with 17 micron pixels and works with Android Smartphones.

DVE (Degraded Visual Environment) Program Ready to Take OffPREMIUM

Helicopter pilots are constantly faced with a loss of visibility when close to the ground, especially in sandy terrain. Such brownout conditions in degraded visual environments (DVE) have resulted in the loss of nearly 400 Army aircraft, 150 lives and cost over $1 billion. The solution is expected to lie in multispectral sensors (Infrared, Lidar - 3D infrared and millimeter wave and sensor fusion).

November 2015

More Consolidation in Fire Fighting Thermal ImagersPREMIUM

Avon Rubber plc (UK) has acquired the “Argus” thermal imaging fire fighting business of E2V Technologies (Chelmsford, Essex, UK) for £3.5 million in cash ($5.4 million).

The company’s Avon Protection unit, which also makes SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), has had a small presence in the fire thermal imaging market with its nvision XTP, a thermal imager based on a 320 x 240 amorphous silicon microbolometer made by L-3 Infrared Products.

Seek Thermal OEM Products Ready to Take OffPREMIUM

 

Seek Thermal – in addition to its smartphone attachments – has been aggressively courting OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to incorporate its 206 x 156/12 VOx microbolometer cores in their cameras for applications for predictive maintenance/building inspection, drones payloads, security cameras, automotive night vision, etc.

 

October 2015

Infrared in ChinaPREMIUM

While the world is agonizing over weakness in the Chinese economy, infrared technology and the infrared industry in China are booming. They are driven not so much by commercial export markets but mostly by domestic government procurement programs and private investment spending.

Helping to accelerate this was a large government program during the past year.

At the recent CIOE China International Optoelectronic Expo in Shenzhen companies showed off the latest developments in cooled and uncooled detectors and systems.

 

Uncooled Infrared Detectors in ChinaPREMIUM

The presence of uncooled infrared technology in China started more than 13 years ago when Ulis began to supply uncooled amorphous silicon (a-Si) microbolometers to companies such as SATIR, Guide Infrared and Dali.

Since then, FLIR Systems has also supplied VOx uncooled modules, but with strict export restrictions on array size and frame rate.

The success of uncooled detector technology developed in the west caused Chinese companies to undertake major development programs to initiate a domestic supply of both a-Si and VOx microbolometers.

The current status of these developments is summarized here.

September 2015

DIR Technologies Introducing New Thermal Imaging System for On-line Package InspectionsPREMIUM

DIR Technologies (Haifa, Israel) is introducing a new thermal imaging system for 100% on-line inspection of induction-sealed bottles used in Food, Cosmetics and other industries.

The I2VS (Induction Integrity Verification System) Lite verifies the aluminum foil seal at the top of bottles, such as those containing vitamins and packaged food.

The system is a follow on to the company’s standard I2VS system which is used in the pharmaceutical industry.

The company makes use of both cooled and uncooled FPAs to view the integrity of the seal at rates up to 400 bottles per minute (which is as fast as the induction sealing machines are capable of heat sealing prior to inspection.)

August 2015

A New Supplier of InGaAs Detectors EmergesPREMIUM

Startup Princeton Infrared Technologies, PIRT (Monmouth Junction, New Jersey) has emerged from its stealth mode to offer InGaAs FPAs for high-volume markets. The company’s founder and President is Martin Ettenberg, a veteran of SWIR detectors who spent 14 years at Sensors Unlimited (now part of UTC) developing and marketing InGaAs FPAs. 

The company’s first product is a 1280 x 1024 InGaAs FPA with 12 micron pixels that can operate at 100 Hz (or at 390 Hz in a 640 x 512 window). A science camera based on this FPA is expected to be released in the Fall.

Price Competition Heats up In Fire Fighting Thermal ImagersPREMIUM

E2V (Chelmsford, UK) is launching new fire fighting thermal imagers in an effort to counter recently introduced new lower-priced cameras made by FLIR Systems.

The British company, which pioneered fire fighting thermal imagers more than 30 years ago, is rolling out two new Argus-brand thermal imagers with added features and lower prices.

July 2015

June 2015

May 2015

April 2015

March 2015

February 2015

January 2015

December 2014

November 2014

October 2014

September 2014

August 2014

July 2014

Agilent Partners with Nippon AvionicsPREMIUM

Introduces Thermography Camera

June 2014

Russian Thermal Weapon SightPREMIUM

Owning Some of the Night

BAE Systems Introduces Small-Pixel VOx Microbolometer CorePREMIUM

Seeks Re-entry Into Commercial Market

April 2014

Sweeping the FieldPREMIUM

FLIR One Smartphone Imager Discourages One Competitor

SWIR in DentistryPREMIUM

 

March 2014

January 2014

FLIR Launches Double WhammyPREMIUM

Ultra Low-Cost Thermal Core and Smartphone Attachment

December 2013

November 2013

October 2013

FLIR and Fluke Launch New Thermography CamerasPREMIUM

Jockeying for Space at the Low-End

 

September 2013

DARPA PIXNET Program Gets UnderwayPREMIUM

Ultra-Small Muti-Band Uncooled Camera

August 2013

July 2013

June 2013

May 2013

SiOnyx Launches NIR/SWIR Black Silicon FPAsPREMIUM

Improved Low Light Level Imaging for Night Vision

April 2013

March 2013

February 2013

January 2013

December 2012

November 2012

October 2012

September 2012

August 2012

July 2012

June 2012

May 2012

Turkish Start-Ups Enter Uncooled FPA and ROIC MarketsPREMIUM

Two start-ups in Turkey are vying for a portion of the infrared market

Novel SWIR ImagersPREMIUM

 

DRS ReorganizesPREMIUM

 

April 2012

March 2012

The Latest in the Thermography WarsPREMIUM

FLIR vs. Fluke

February 2012

January 2012

Spectrolab Moves InGaAs APDs into ProductionPREMIUM

An Enabling Technology for 3D Imaging

December 2011

November 2011

October 2011

United Technologies Acquiring GoodrichPREMIUM

A New Player in Infrared

September 2011

August 2011

July 2011

ISG UK is AcquiredPREMIUM

 

DARPA Funding Tiny, Low-Cost Uncooled FPAs and Camera CoresPREMIUM

Pushing Uncooled Infrared Toward a Cell Phone Model

June 2011

May 2011

Terahertz Imaging Using Uncooled MicrobolometersPREMIUM

NEC Improves Both Passive and Active Mode Cameras

April 2011

March 2011

EVS Takes One Step Closer to More Widespread UsePREMIUM

Honeywell’s Demonstration of Blended Infrared and Synthetic Vision on Primary Flight Displays

February 2011

ITT to Split into Three CompaniesPREMIUM

Defense Segment Will Continue Work on Night Vision

January 2011

Teledyne Buying DALSAPREMIUM

Synergies in Infrared

December 2010

November 2010

October 2010

Automotive Night Vision Takes Another Leap ForwardPREMIUM

Autoliv Tests its New Thermal and Near-Infrared Fusion System

Mikron Moves its OperationsPREMIUM

LumaSense Consolidates

September 2010

FLIR Systems Acquiring ICx TechnologiesPREMIUM

Integrating a Diversified Portfolio of Technologies

Raytheon Wins SDB II ProgramPREMIUM

A Trend in Seeker Technology?

August 2010

Interest in Infrared Increases in JapanPREMIUM

New Support for Small Pixel Uncooled Microbolometers

Jostling for Space at the Low EndPREMIUM

Infrared Cameras for Building Inspection

July 2010

Setting Up Shop in the U.S.PREMIUM

Overseas IR Detector Companies Expanding U.S. Operations

BAE Systems to Reorganize in U.S.PREMIUM

The Effect on Infrared Operations

June 2010

German Future Soldier Uncooled Infrared Rifle Sight Goes ModularPREMIUM

Simplifying the Small Arms Video Sight

May 2010

April 2010

A New German Capability in UncooledPREMIUM

Fraunhofer Institute Makes Large Format Uncooled Microbolometer

March 2010

February 2010

The Effect of Eased U.S. Export Controls on Uncooled Infrared CamerasPREMIUM

U.S. Also Proposing Easier Export Controls for Thermal Imagers in Two Application Areas

January 2010

December 2009

November 2009

Army Makes a Second Laser Targeting Locator Module (LTLM) AwardPREMIUM

Northrop Grumman Wins with its Mark VIIE

FLIR Systems Acquires OmniTech PartnersPREMIUM

Adds Image Intensified Systems and Fused IR/I2 Systems to its Portfolio of Products

October 2009

Infrared in JapanPREMIUM

The Latest Developments

September 2009

Pushing Uncooled Detector Technology to Its LimitsPREMIUM

Smaller Pixels and Larger Formats

August 2009

July 2009

General Dynamics Buying AxsysPREMIUM

How Will the Acquisition Affect the Commercial and Military Infrared Markets?

June 2009

Soldiers Test Digital Enhanced Night Vision GogglesPREMIUM

Comparing ENVG(D) and ENVG(O)

U.S. Export Controls on Uncooled Infrared Cameras Eased DrasticallyPREMIUM

Leveling the Playing Field for U.S. Manufacturers

Moving Microbolometer Vacuum Packaging into Mass ProductionPREMIUM

Ritsumeikan University Has a Solution

May 2009

U.S. Defense Budget to Undergo Big ChangesPREMIUM

Their Effect on Infrared

April 2009

Axsys Technologies Puts Itself up for SalePREMIUM

Some of the Potential Buyers

IRISYS Moves its Pyroelectric FPA to a Larger FormatPREMIUM

Introduces New Low-End Thermography Camera

March 2009

February 2009

January 2009

December 2008

BAE Systems PbSe DevelopmentPREMIUM

Company Pursues Military, Commercial Markets

November 2008

Aircraft EVSPREMIUM

Market Separates into High and Low Ends

Axsys Expands OperationsPREMIUM

Increases Product Offerings

Sofradir Buys ElectrophysicsPREMIUM

The Strategy Behind the Move

October 2008

September 2008

Ulis to Supply Microbolometers to Sagem for FELIN ProgramPREMIUM

Ulis has landed a five year contract with Sagem Défense Sécurité (Paris, France) to be one of the primary suppliers of uncooled microbolometers for weapon sights and handheld infrared cameras, including those used in FELIN, the French Army’s Future Infantry Soldier System.

Goodrich SUI SWIR Camera on Scan Eagle UAVPREMIUM

Candidates for STUAS Payload Line Up

American HealthChoice Launches OmniBody ScanPREMIUM

The Latest Attempt at Infrared Diagnostic Breast Imaging

August 2008

Uncooled FPAs in FrancePREMIUM

Uncooled microbolometer development in France has been very rapid partly because of the cooperation between the CEA/Leti labs and Ulis

SCD and Sagem Sign Long-Term Supplier AgreementPREMIUM

Uncooled microbolometers for Sagem systems

July 2008

L-3 Infrared Products DownsizesPREMIUM

L-3 Infrared Products laid off 10% of its 180 employees in June in an effort to stem the flow of red ink.

Former Indigo Execs Prevail Over FLIR Systems in LawsuitPREMIUM

FLIR Systems has lost a lawsuit against two former Indigo Systems executives whom it claimed were misappropriating trade secrets and against whom FLIR was seeking a permanent injunction to prevent them from starting a new venture to produce uncooled microbolometers.

June 2008

Lead Salts Make a ComebackPREMIUM

Imaging lead salt FPAs are poised to make a comeback for niche military applications after having almost disappeared from view.

Last month the U.S. Army awarded Northrop Grumman (Rolling Meadows) a 20 month $6.1 million contract to continue development on a two-color uncooled, midwave, Lead Selenide (PbSe) Passive Infrared Cueing System (PICS).

DX Rating for Uncooled FPAs Causes Commercial ShortagePREMIUM

The high priority for MRAP (Mine Resistant Ambush Protected) vehicles and their infrared sensors, has led the U.S. Department of Defense to place a DX rating on components, such as uncooled microbolometers that are used in the Driver’s Vision Enhancers (DVE) on these vehicles.

FLIR Systems Pushes Prices Below $3KPREMIUM

Competition in low-end thermography cameras is heating up. FLIR Systems’ latest introduction, the i5 camera, pushes prices below $3K—a level unheard of just a few years ago.

IDGA Night Vision ConferencePREMIUM

The 2-day IDGA Night Vision Conference at the end of July includes a number of high-level presentations

Automotive Night Vision Aftermarket Price ReductionPREMIUM

Although infrared automotive night vision systems are usually supplied as a factory-installed option, an aftermarket is developing…

Finmeccanica to Acquire DRSPREMIUM

Finmeccanica S.p.A. (Italy) has agreed to acquire DRS Technologies for $5.2 billion in cash.

May 2008

GE Takes Minority Stake in UlisPREMIUM

General Electric’s GE Commercial Finance is taking a 15% minority stake in Ulis, the supplier of uncooled amorphous silicon microbolometers.

Toyota Introducing NIR Active Night Vision with Pedestrian DetectionPREMIUM

Toyota is introducing a near-infrared (NIR) active night vision system called Night View on the Crown Hybrid

April 2008

The Race to 17 Micron PixelsPREMIUM

Manufacturers of uncooled microbolometers are racing to develop and introduce focal plane arrays with 17 micron pixels. The smaller size pixels are seen by producers as a way to differentiate their products and as a path to lower cost and higher volume markets.

Uncooled BST Being Phased OutPREMIUM

L-3 Infrared Products is phasing out the production of uncooled BST ferroelectric FPAs and cameras. The company expects to stop producing BST detectors in mid-2009 but will support these products for another three years.

L-3 Buying Northrop Grumman’s Electro-Optical Systems BusinessPREMIUM

L-3 Communications has signed an agreement to acquire Northrop Grumman's Electro-Optical Systems (EOS) business for $175 million in cash. The EOS business had 2007 revenues of approximately $190 million in night vision goggles, weapons sights, driver viewers, image intensifier tubes and applied optics products.

March 2008

Infrared Markets SoarPREMIUM

World commercial and dual-use infrared imaging markets soared by 30% in 2007.

Thales UK Wins SSARF ProgramPREMIUM

Thales UK has been awarded the contract for the UK’s Surveillance System and Range Finding (SSARF) requirement. The company won with the latest version of its Joint-Target Acquisition System (J-TAS), a bi-ocular handheld sight that combines daylight and thermal vision (640 x 480 VOx uncooled microbolometer from DRS) with an eye-safe laser range finder embedded military GPS and azimuth angular referencing.

Goodrich Forms New ISR Business UnitPREMIUM

Goodrich Corp. has formed a new ISR Systems (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance) business unit out of the former Optical & Space Systems (OSS) division. The new unit has its headquarters in Chelmsford, Mass., and includes operations in Danbury, Conn., Albuquerque, N.M., Princeton, N.J., Ithaca, N.Y., and Malvern (UK).

February 2008

New Fluke Cameras Push Pricing Below $5KPREMIUM

Fluke is introducing four new handheld cameras which are pushing the pricing of thermography cameras below $5000. Two of the new cameras, Ti10 and Ti25, are intended for industrial and electrical inspections; the other two TiR and TiR1, are intended for building inspection.

Princeton Lightwave Developing FPAs for 3D ImagingPREMIUM

Princeton Lightwave, Inc. (PLI), has been awarded a $3.5 million DARPA contract to develop an FPA with single photon sensitivity for use in 3D imaging applications such as those demonstrated in the Jigsaw program. PLI will develop InGaAsP/InP Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode (GmAPDs) arrays optimized for single-photon detection at 1.06 µm.

BAE Systems Opens New Sensor Development CenterPREMIUM

BAE Systems is opening a new 33,000 square foot electro-optics/infrared Sensor Technology Design Center to support military products based on the company’s VOx microbolometers.

SPIE’s Infrared Technology and Applications ConferencePREMIUM

SPIE’s Infrared Technology and Applications XXXIV Conference – a part of SPIE’s Defense & Security Symposium - will feature the latest developments in IR technology and sensor systems. The four day conference, with concurrently running sessions on Monday and Tuesday, will be held from March 17 to 20 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

FLIR/Cedip Acquisition ClosesPREMIUM

FLIR Systems has completed the acquisition of 69.3% of the shares (at 19 euros per share or a total of 42.3 million euros) of Cedip Infrared Systems after obtaining approval from the French Ministry of Finance and Economy. FLIR Systems Holdings SAS, the company’s French subsidiary will now proceed to acquire the remaining shares of Cedip for the same 19 euro price.

January 2008

New Gen EVS Ready for 2008PREMIUM

A new generation of Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for aircraft is close to being certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Kollsman’s EVS II, an enhanced version of its original EVS, makes use of SCD’s 320 x240 InSb FPA on a Blue Fairy read-out and provides 30% increase in sensitivity.

NEC/Nippon Avionics Reorganize Infrared BusinessesPREMIUM

Nippon Avionics plans to reorganize and consolidate its infrared businesses, including NEC San-ei Instruments, into the new company, NEC Avio Infrared Technologies Co., Ltd.

Isonics-Bell Labs Uncooled Development SuspendedPREMIUM

The effort by Isonics Corp. to develop an uncooled focal plane array by partnering with Alcatel-Lucent Bell Labs has hit a funding road block after Isonics and its subsidiary SensIT failed to make a recent installment payment on the $12 million development program.

Teledyne to Acquire JudsonPREMIUM

Teledyne Scientific & Imaging, LLC has entered into an agreement to acquire Judson Technologies, LLC.

December 2007

Autoliv Plans New Night Vision Product LaunchPREMIUM

Autoliv is preparing to introduce its new Night Vision 2 system to aid drivers of passenger cars when driving at night. The new system will offer significant new capabilities while simultaneously lowering the cost to automakers.

Goodrich SUI Wins DARPA MISI ProgramPREMIUM

Goodrich SUI has received the sole award under DARPA’s Micro-Sensors for Imaging (MISI) program.

ICx Launches IPOPREMIUM

ICx Technologies launched an Initial Public Offering of 5 million shares of its common stock at a price of $16.00 per share on the NASDAQ market. However, the company was caught in the volatility of the markets and shares dropped to under $8 before recovering to over $9 on November 27.

November 2007

A-Si Matches VOxPREMIUM

Amorphous silicon (a-Si) uncooled microbolometers made by ULIS are increasingly reaching performance levels previously attained only by VOx microbolometers.

Halfway Between an FPA and a Spot SensorPREMIUM

Researchers at Ritsumeikan University have developed a very low-cost thermal array that is more than a spot thermal sensor, but not quite a staring focal plane array. The device, dubbed Infrared Position Sensitive Detector (IRPSD), is an array of uncooled thermopiles, which is not intended to form an image, but provide position information on the object being viewed.

Textron Acquiring UIC/AAIPREMIUM

Textron Crop. is acquiring UIC Corp., the parent of AAI Corp., for $1.1 billion in a cash tender offer. AAI Corp. makes the Shadow 200, 300 and 400 UAVs; and is teamed with Honeywell on the micro-air-vehicle (MAV), which uses a ducted fan propulsion system to enable vertical take-off and landing.

BAE Systems Wins CROWS II Uncooled SightsPREMIUM

BAE Systems Infrared Imaging Systems has been awarded a five-year IDIQ contract for up to 6,500 uncooled TIM1500 modules for use in the CROWS II (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station) made by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace AS.

DRS Wins ASMS Phase II AwardPREMIUM

DRS has been selected for Phase II of the Advanced Soldier Mobility Sensor (ASMS) program - to develop a low power sensor with digitally fused uncooled LWIR and Image Intensified (I2) images for use in a helmet mounted vision sensor for mobility, target detection, and situational awareness in complex terrain.

October 2007

FLIR Buying CedipPREMIUM

FLIR Systems has entered into an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Cedip Infrared Systems in a deal that values the French company at 62.7 million euros (approximately $86.4 million).

New Uncooled EVS SystemsPREMIUM

Max-Viz is introducing upgraded versions of its uncooled Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for aircraft pilots. The company is now making use of 25 µm pixel microbolometers in all of its new products.

Soldato del FuturoPREMIUM

The EO/IR components of Italy’s Future Soldier System (Soldato del Futuro) - which are being developed by Galileo Avionica - are going through initial testing.

September 2007

DRS Seeks End to TWS ProblemsPREMIUM

DRS Technologies is seeking to put an end to its Thermal Weapon Sight woes after having suspended shipments of TWS II for over five months due to a boresighting problem.

French InGaAs CapabilityPREMIUM

The Alcatel-Thales III-V Lab. has developed 320 x 256 InGaAs FPAs with good performance.

 

World Military IR MarketsPREMIUM

The world military infrared systems market grew at a blazing growth rate in 2006.

BAE Systems Wins Digital ENVGPREMIUM

BAE Systems Infrared Imaging Systems has won an advanced technology demonstration award for the Digital Enhanced Night Vision Goggle, ENVG(D).

August 2007

Obzerv Range-Gated Camera Combined with RadarPREMIUM

Obzerv Technologies’ range gated camera has been integrated with radar in order to provide maritime security for a critical application in Asia. The integrated system allows long range detection of threats by the radar which then cues the Obzerv ARGC-2400 range-gated camera, which makes use of a Diode Laser Illumination System (DALIS™) operating at 808 or 860 nm.

Fluke Acquires IrconPREMIUM

Fluke has acquired Ircon from Spectris plc for $33 million on a debt and cash-free basis and subject to a working capital adjustment. Ircon specializes in spot infrared sensors including on-line IR thermometers, portable spot thermometers and line scanners.

DARPA MTO Solicits New ProgramsPREMIUM

The Defense Advancement Research Projects Agency, DARPA is soliciting a wide range of new research projects for its Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). Infrared technologies play an important part.

Low-End EVS Market Starts to Take OffPREMIUM

Amateur-built aircraft in the U.S. are giving a lift to a new class of low-end Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for use by the pilots of these planes when flying at night or in reduced visibility. This growth is being driven by the fact that under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations, no certification is required to use an EVS on amateur-built “experimental” aircraft.

Goodrich to Modify U-2 Sensors for SpacePREMIUM

Goodrich ISR Systems has been awarded a contract by the Naval Research Laboratory to modify the high-performance imaging sensor used on the high-altitude U-2 surveillance aircraft for use as a space payload.

July 2007

TWS II Bridge AwardsPREMIUM

The U.S. Army has awarded contracts for the Thermal Weapon Sight II (TWS) Bridge, which is the largest uncooled program to date.

Qioptiq Thermal Weapon Sights Now Shipping to AustraliaPREMIUM

Qioptiq is now in the process of shipping 450 VIPIR-2 thermal weapon sights to the Australian Army. The sights will be used in Australia’s future soldier system, called the LAND125 Soldier Enhancement Programme.

New Border Sensors Fired UpPREMIUM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SBInet sensor network on the Mexican border went into operation along a 28 mile stretch southwest of Tucson. The first section of the “virtual fence” consists of nine 98 foot towers with visible and infrared cameras that send images to a command center and to specially equipped Border Patrol vehicles.

Israeli Military Delegation Visits IndiaPREMIUM

On the Lookout for More Infrared Business

June 2007

DRS Splits-Out Former Nytech UnitPREMIUM

DRS Technologies has split-out its former Nytech unit which was acquired in 2002. The new company, called N2 Imaging Systems, will continue to operate out of its original Irvine, California offices.

May 2007

Canada Plans TWS BuyPREMIUM

The Government of Canada is seeking information (price and availability) for the purchase of approximately 1000 Thermal Weapon Sights for the Canadian Army. The sights must be Military Off-the Shelf (MOTS) items.

Judson Enters FPA MarketPREMIUM

Judson Technologies LLC, which has traditionally focused on single-element and linear array infrared detectors, is entering the infrared FPA and camera market.

April 2007

L-3 IR Products’ New Strategy on Auto Night VisionPREMIUM

L-3 Infrared Products is taking aim at the military driver’s vision enhancement (DVE) market with a new system intended to be used on tactical wheeled vehicles. The Diver’s Vision System (DVS) makes use of the company’s uncooled BST FPAs which are also used in its commercial automotive night vision system.

Zeiss Acquiring Denel OptronicsPREMIUM

Carl Zeiss Optronics GmbH is acquiring a 70% interest in Denel Optronics, which is owned by the state-owned defense group Denel Pty. Ltd. and is currently undergoing partial privatization. The German company and Denel Optronics have collaborated closely on technology for a number of years.

LumaSense Buying MikronPREMIUM

Mikron Infrared is being acquired by LumaSense Technologies, Inc. for approximately $65 million.

OASYS Head Mounted Display for TWSPREMIUM

OASYS Technology has received an order for 2300 Head Mounted Displays (HMD) from the U.S. Army RDECOM for use with the U.S. Thermal Weapon Sight.

March 2007

U.S. Defense BudgetPREMIUM

A big increase (but not for all infrared programs)

New DARPA IR ProgramsPREMIUM

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plans to start a number of infrared programs in fiscal 2008 (starting October 1st).

SPIE’s Infrared Technologies and Applications ConferencePREMIUM

SPIE’s Infrared Technology and Applications XXXIII Conference – a part of SPIE’s DSS - Defense & Security Symposium - will feature the latest developments in IR technology and sensor systems. The five day conference will be held from April 9 to April 13 at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.

Esterline Corp. to Buy CMC ElectronicsPREMIUM

Esterline Corp. has agreed to buy CMC Electronics for $335 million. CMC Electronics (formerly Canadian Marconi Canada) is a leading supplier of avionics systems including both cooled and uncooled infrared Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for pilots.

February 2007

Digital ENVG One Step CloserPREMIUM

The plan to replace the current helmet-mounted night vision goggles (NVG) with a digital Enhanced Night Vision Goggles [ENVG(D)] is moving closer to realization. Although numerous technical hurdles must still be surmounted, the U.S. Army has now laid out a schedule for bringing ENVG(D) into production.

Next TWS II Ready to StartPREMIUM

The success of the U.S. Thermal Weapon Sight II program with uncooled VOx microbolometers is leading to a follow-on procurement which is being referred to as “TWS II Bridge.” This program is intended to bridge the gap between TWS II and a future TWS III which is expected to include significant technology improvements.

World Infrared MarketsPREMIUM

The combined world commercial and dual-use infrared imaging and spot infrared thermometry market grew at a blistering nearly 20% pace in 2006.

Israel Adopting New Export Control ActPREMIUM

Israel is changing its export control policies and will adhere to the Wassenaar Arrangement’s Control Lists for both Munitions items and for Dual-Use items. According to the Wassenaar agreements, dual-use products go through a licensing procedure that is usually administered by a commerce department or ministry.

Boeing Business Jets to Feature New Uncooled EVSPREMIUM

Rockwell Collins is introducing a new infrared Enhanced Vision System (EVS) - based on a Max-Viz uncooled EVS - for use on Boeing Business Jets. The EVS presents an image on Rockwell Collins’ Head-up Guidance System (HGS®) and head-down displays to enhance pilot situational awareness of terrain and the airport environment in low-visibility situations.

Export Control Hurdles for 2007PREMIUM

Several recent provisions in the Wassenaar List of Dual-Use infrared equipment must be renewed or they will expire at the end of this year. The most important of these refer to the control of uncooled amorphous silicon microbolometers.

January 2007

BMW Gives OK to Next Gen Auto Night VisionPREMIUM

After a thorough evaluation of both passive thermal and active near infrared (NIR) automotive night vision systems, German luxury car maker BMW has decided to stay with thermal imaging (called “FIR” or “Far Infrared” in the automotive industry).

SCD Ramping Up Production of Uncooled VOx MicrobolometersPREMIUM

SCD Semi Conductor Devices is ramping up production of its “BIRD” 384 x 288 (25 µm) microbolometers after encountering process issues at the beginning of 2006.

Power Plants a Good Market for Thermal Rifle SightsPREMIUM

Requirements by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for increased security at power plants has provided EMX a ready market for thermal rifle sights.

Cantronic Acquisition of QWIP SystemsPREMIUM

The acquisition by Cantronic Systems, Inc. of QWIP Systems (the Canadian parent of QWIPTECH in the U.S.) has been completed. Both companies are publicly traded in Canada.

December 2006

Uncooled with 17 µm PixelsPREMIUM

The U.S. Army’s effort to keep pushing the performance of uncooled sensor technology is again bearing fruit. All four contractors developing ultra-small pixel uncooled microbolometers have demonstrated 640 x 480 focal plane arrays with 17 µm pixels in thermal weapon sights.

Image Fusion 2007PREMIUM

The Image Fusion 2007 conference to be held between January 22 and 24 in Alexandria, Virginia is expected to cover a wide range of topics that are increasingly important for a wide number of applications.

November 2006

FLIR Systems Scaling UpPREMIUM

FLIR Systems has reached an agreement with AMI Semiconductor in which AMIS will be the foundry for the production of FLIR’s uncooled VOx microbolometers. The microbolometers will be produced in AMIS’ Class 1 facility on 8” wafers.

Micro-Sensors Get Really MicroPREMIUM

DARPA is seeking to push uncooled sensor technology to new limits. In the new Micro-Sensors for Imaging (MISI) program, DARPA wants contractors to develop ultra-small sensors for two applications.

CMC Electronics Ships 100th EVSPREMIUM

CMC Electronics has shipped its 100th EVS (Enhanced Vision System) for aircraft. Most of these are the SureSight® I-Series.

DelphiPREMIUM

Delphi is proposing an automotive active night vision system with pedestrian warning that also uses the same camera to carry out several additional vision tasks, including lane departure warning and intelligent headlight control.

October 2006

German Future Soldier SystemPREMIUM

The new enhanced version of the German future soldier system, IdZ-ES (Infanteristen der Zukunft) is increasing the number of infrared sights to be provided to soldiers. Earlier this year The German MoD’s BWB procurement agency awarded the prime contract for an enhanced version of IdZ to prime contractor Rheinmetall.

Siemens to Acquire VistaScapePREMIUM

Siemens Building Technologies has signed an agreement to acquire VistaScape Security Systems as a wholly owned subsidiary.

Boeing Wins Secure Borders InitiativePREMIUM

The Department of Homeland Security has awarded the first phase of the Secure Border Initiative (SBInet) contract to a team led by Boeing. The program is intended to help secure both America’s southern and northern borders with a network of sensors.

Firefighter Grant Awards Start in OctoberPREMIUM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s fiscal year 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) awards are expected to start being issued in October. The late start in making the awards under the $540 million FY2006 AFG program has resulted in some hesitation on the part of local fire departments to purchase thermal imagers while they waited for the outcome of the grant awards.

September 2006

Auto Night Vision in EuropePREMIUM

A proposed European Union regulation to enhance pedestrian safety may help to significantly expand the use of automotive infrared night vision systems. The proposed regulation will require a specific active safety system called Brake Assist on all new vehicles starting on July 1, 2008. In addition, new types of equipment, such as collision avoidance, will be recognized as alternatives to Brake Assist.

August 2006

Land Instruments Acquired by AmetekPREMIUM

Land Instruments International Ltd. has been acquired by Ametek, Inc., a diversified manufacturer of industrial instruments and electromechanical devices. Land, with annual sales of £22 million ($41 million) will be part of the process analytical business of Ametek’s Electronic Instruments Group.

FLIR Systems Robot Churning out InfraCAMsPREMIUM

FLIR Systems’ new robot is now up and running at the company’s Danderyd, Sweden facility. The robot is intended to automate the labor intensive and time-consuming testing and calibration of FLIR’s new line of low-cost InfraCAM cameras.

DRS Teaming with IntevacPREMIUM

DRS Technologies is partnering with Intevac to develop a head-mounted digitally fused night vision goggle. The NVG will digitally fuse images from DRS’ uncooled VOx microbolometers with low light level images from Intevac’s EBAPS (Electronically Bombarded Active Pixel Sensor) low-light-level CMOS imager.

July 2006

CEDIP Launches IPOPREMIUM

CEDIP Infrared has launched an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Alternext market of the Euronext Exchange. The company’s existing 2,500,000 shares of stock have been admitted on Alternext. In addition, a maximum of 712,500 new shares have been issued and admitted to the exchange.

BAE Systems Wins DAS ContractPREMIUM

BAE Systems E&IS Sensor Systems has been awarded a $6.1 million 21-month contract to develop a DAS (Distributed Aperture System) for U.S. Army combat vehicles. The system is intended to provide the driver and crew members of armored vehicles with unprecedented situational awareness.

Thales Seeks to Expand Optronics in U.S.PREMIUM

Thales is seeking to expand its presence in optronics in the U.S.

June 2006

Qioptiq is New Name for Former Thales HTOPREMIUM

Qioptiq is the new name for the former Thales High Tech Optics (HTO) business that was acquired by Candover Investments late last year. The new company has operations in the UK, US, Singapore, Germany and Hungary.

May 2006

FLIR Reorganizes Imaging BusinessPREMIUM

FLIR Systems has re-organized its Imaging business into two separate Divisions: a commercial imaging division and a government imaging division. The company also plans to invest $15 million to significantly increase the capacity of its uncooled VOx microbolometer production facility in Santa Barbara.

Raytheon Launches New Security System for Airports and Other InfrastructurePREMIUM

Raytheon’s Airspace Management and Homeland Security business is launching an Integrated Airport Security System (IASS) that makes it easier for airports to ensure the safety of passengers from their arrival at the airport to departure in the aircraft. .

BAE Systems IRIS Gets Qualified for TWSPREMIUM

The Thermal Weapon Sights (TWS) made by BAE Systems IR Imaging Systems have completed qualification testing by the U.S. Army.

April 2006

DARPA HOT ProgramPREMIUM

DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office has awarded four 3-year contracts for the development of near room temperature (or “HOT - High Operating Temperature”) mid-wave infrared focal plane arrays. The FPAs are intended for future use in ground-based threat warning systems.

Nippon Avionics Acquiring NEC San-ei InstrumentsPREMIUM

Nippon Avionics is acquiring NEC San-ei Instruments. After the completion of the transaction on June 30, 2006, NEC San-ei will be a 100% subsidiary of Nippon Avionics.

Standards for Infrared in FirefightingPREMIUM

The use of infrared cameras by firefighters has been growing at double digit rates. In fact, the rate at which new technologies are being incorporated into these cameras may affect firefighter safety.

SCD Improves VOx MicrobolometersPREMIUM

SCD Semi Conductor Devices has improved its “BIRD” 384 x 288 VOx (25 µm pitch) microbolometers.

SBInet Holds Out Hope for Infrared Strategic Border InitiativePREMIUM

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Strategic Border Initiative program (SBInet) is shaping up to be a boon for infrared technology. SBInet has two major themes: controlling the border and immigration enforcement.

Avio Develops IR Helmet Goggle for FirefightersPREMIUM

Nippon Avionics has developed an integral helmet-mounted uncooled infrared imager for firefighters.

March 2006

New Infrared Cameras Push the Boundaries at the Low EndPREMIUM

The introduction of infrared cameras at aggressive low price points are pushing infrared imaging into new markets and applications. Three manufacturers have recently introduced such cameras, two of them after extensive test marketing during 2005.

NEC Enters VOx Merchant Market with Mid and Large Format FPAsPREMIUM

NEC is entering the merchant market with two VOx microbolometers having 320 x 240 and 640 x 480 formats. The two microbolometers have the smallest pixel sizes (23.5 µm) currently available for either the commercial or military markets.

World Infrared MarketsPREMIUM

The combined world commercial and dual-use infrared imaging and spot infrared thermometry market is growing rapidly. Uncooled infrared focal plane array technology used in a broad range of applications continues to be the major driving factor.

Opgal Partnering with WinSoft to Penetrate the U.S. MarketPREMIUM

Opgal is partnering with WinSoft on infrared systems. Opgal cameras will be available with the WinSoft ThermaVu software development kit for image analysis, camera control and thermal analysis.

SPIE’s Infrared Technology and Applications ConferencePREMIUM

SPIE’s Infrared Technology and Applications XXXII Conference – a part of SPIE’s DSS - Defense & Security Symposium - will feature the latest developments in IR technology and sensor systems. The five day conference will be held from April 17 to April 21 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Orlando, Florida.

February 2006

Irvine Sensors in FFW ContractPREMIUM

Irvine Sensors has been awarded a contract by Rockwell Collins Optronics for the miniature thermal imagers for the Future Force Warrior (FFW) head-mounted sensor. The Irvine Sensors cameras are based on the company’s tiny CamNoir which makes use of an IC stacking technique (“Neo-Stack) for producing highly compact electronics packages.

Prelude to TWS IIIPREMIUM

Although the U.S. Army’s TWS II program using high performance 25 µm pixel uncooled VOx microbolometers (640 x 480 and 320 x 240) is just getting started, the next-generation, with 17 µm pixels is already getting underway. Under a program funded by PEO Soldier and with the technical monitoring of the Night Vision & Electronic Sensors Directorate, four companies have been selected to develop 640 x 480 microbolometers with 17 µm pixels and deliver two Thermal Weapon Sights and two thermal imaging modules.

CardioOptics Receives $26.5 Million InvestmentPREMIUM

A New Market for SWIR Cameras

January 2006

ULIS Large FPA Goes into ProductionPREMIUM

ULIS has moved it’s large format (640 x 480 with 25 µm pixels) amorphous silicon uncooled microbolometers into production. The chip is based on a single-level microbridge, thus avoiding the complexity and expense of dual-level designs.

Uncooled B-kit in Phase IIPREMIUM

The U.S. Army’s effort to develop standard interchangeable imaging modules based on uncooled VOx microbolometers went into Phase II with the awarding of contracts to BAE Systems Infrared Imaging Systems, DRS Infrared Technologies and Raytheon Vision Systems in September 2005. Under Phase II of the Uncooled B-Kit (UBK) program, the emphasis is on 640 x 480 pixel imaging modules.

First Infrared Special Comprehensive LicensePREMIUM

The first “Special Comprehensive License” (SCL) for exporting thermal imaging cameras has been granted by the U.S. Department of Commerce. The four-year license is for shipments of predictive maintenance cameras based on 160 x 120 pixel uncooled microbolometers to European Union countries.

Thales Sells High Technology Optics BusinessPREMIUM

Thales has completed the sale of its High Technology Optics (HTO) units in the UK, Singapore, Germany and Hungary for 220 million euros (in cash) to Candover Investments.

The HTO units design and manufacture high precision optical modules and components mainly for military applications, but also for commercial uses.

Extreme CCTV and Obzerv Cancel Second InvestmentPREMIUM

Extreme CCTV has declined to make a second investment of $3 million in Obzerv Technologies Ltd. However, the two companies continue to work together to develop a new high-end security camera, LX300, based on Obzerv’s range-gated laser camera.