CMOS Imager to Add Video to Night Vision Scopes

PRINCETON, N.J., April 27 -- Sarnoff Corp.'s high-sensitivity CMOS camera-on-a-chip technology is to be integrated with the Litton Electro-Optical Systems image intensified camera system to create a video-enabled night vision system for the US Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM). Sarnoff is to serve as a subcontractor on the project, which was awarded to Garland, Texas-based Litton by CECOM's Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate. Sarnoff said it will use fiber optics to couple a new active-pixel CMOS image sensor with 100 times the dynamic range of conventional imagers to Litton's gated, unfilmed, halo-free image intensifier.
According to Sarnoff, which also will provide a camera controller with analog video output, the system will have high resolution and low power consumption. At approximately 4 x 2 inches and weighing 290 grams, the complete videoscope is designed to be small and light enough for easy portability and use in the field; in addition, low power requirements will minimize the need to change batteries in field use.