Patent US6515285B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6515285B1
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US
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Method and apparatus for compensating a radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations
Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc
•
Filing: 2000-02-11
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Granted: 2003-02-04
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Expires: 2020-02-11
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for compensating a radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations. Ambient temperature variations may produce undesirable artifacts in electronic signals output by a radiation sensor. In some cases, such artifacts may detrimentally reduce the dynamic range of the sensor and/or processing circuitry associated with the sensor with respect to radiation of interest. The radiation sensor may be compensated for such undesirable artifacts by, for example, adding an appropriate offset to a sensor bias voltage or a sensor bias current, and/or controlling a temperature of the radiation sensor, based on variations in the ambient temperature.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles M. Marshall
- 👤 Neal R. Butler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 10:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01J; G01J5/00; G01J5/10; G01J5/20; H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/60; H04N25/616; H04N25/67; H04N25/671; H10; H10F; H10F30/00; H10F30/10; H10W; H10W90/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of controlling a temperature of at least one radiation sensor, the radiation sensor outputting image signals based on detected radiation, the method comprising an act of varying the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to a change in an ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor, such that an X degree change in the ambient temperature causes a Y degree change in the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, wherein X and Y are different.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of controlling a temperature of at least one radiation sensor, the radiation sensor outputting image signals based on detected radiation, the method comprising an act of varying the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to a change in an ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor, such that an X degree change in the ambient temperature causes a Y degree change in the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, wherein X and Y are different.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein X and Y have opposite polarities.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of controlling a temperature of at least one radiation sensor, the radiation sensor outputting image signals based on detected radiation, the method comprising an act of varying the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to a change in an ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor, wherein the act of varying the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor includes acts of: generating a temperature sensitive reference signal that varies in response to changes in the ambient temperature; measuring the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor; making a comparison of the measured temperature of the at least one radiation sensor to the temperature sensitive reference signal; and controlling the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on the comparison.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of controlling a temperature of at least one radiation sensor, the radiation sensor outputting image signals based on detected radiation, the method comprising an act of varying the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to a change in an ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor, wherein the act of varying the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor includes acts of: generating a temperature sensitive reference signal that varies in response to changes in the ambient temperature; measuring the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor; making a comparison of the measured temperature of the at least one radiation sensor to the temperature sensitive reference signal; and controlling the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on the comparison.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method of claim 3 , wherein the at least one radiation sensor is formed on a substrate enclosed in a package, and wherein: the act of measuring the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor includes an act of measuring a temperature of the substrate enclosed in the package; and the act of generating a temperature sensitive reference signal includes an act of generating the temperature sensitive reference signal based on the ambient temperature outside of and proximate to the package.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus comprising: at least one radiation sensor to output image signals based on detected radiation, the at least one radiation sensor including a plurality of resistive microbolometer elements arranged as a sensor array, wherein the sensor array is enclosed in a package; and a temperature sensitive reference circuit for providing a temperature sensitive reference signal, the temperature sensitive reference circuit comprising: at least one temperature sensor to provide the temperature sensitive reference signal based on an ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor; at least one power supply to provide power to the at least one temperate sensor; and at least one resistor coupled to the at least one temperature sensor and the at least one power supply, wherein the temperature sensor reference circuit is not enclosed in the package.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
134 words
An apparatus comprising: at least one radiation sensor to output image signals based on detected radiation, the at least one radiation sensor including a plurality of resistive microbolometer elements arranged as a sensor array, wherein the sensor array is enclosed in a package; and a temperature sensitive reference circuit for providing a temperature sensitive reference signal, the temperature sensitive reference circuit comprising: at least one temperature sensor to provide the temperature sensitive reference signal based on an ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor; at least one power supply to provide power to the at least one temperate sensor; and at least one resistor coupled to the at least one temperature sensor and the at least one power supply, wherein the temperature sensor reference circuit is not enclosed in the package.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 5 , wherein the package and the temperature sensitive reference circuit are mounted on a same circuit board.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
In an apparatus including at least one radiation sensor to output image signals based on detected radiation, a temperature control circuit for controlling a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, the temperature control circuit controlling the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on a measured temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and a measured ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor, such that an X degree change in the ambient temperature causes a Y degree change in the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, wherein X and Y are different.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
In an apparatus including at least one radiation sensor to output image signals based on detected radiation, a temperature control circuit for controlling a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, the temperature control circuit controlling the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on a measured temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and a measured ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor, such that an X degree change in the ambient temperature causes a Y degree change in the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, wherein X and Y are different.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The temperature control circuit of claim 7 , in combination with the at let one radiation sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
In an apparatus including at least one radiation sensor to output image signals based on detected radiation, a temperature control circuit for controlling a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, the temperature control circuit controlling the temperature of the at let one radiation sensor based on a measured temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and a measured ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor, such that as X degree change in the ambient temperature causes a Y degree change in the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, wherein X and Y have opposite polarities.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
103 words
In an apparatus including at least one radiation sensor to output image signals based on detected radiation, a temperature control circuit for controlling a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, the temperature control circuit controlling the temperature of the at let one radiation sensor based on a measured temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and a measured ambient temperature proximate to the at least one radiation sensor, such that as X degree change in the ambient temperature causes a Y degree change in the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor, wherein X and Y have opposite polarities.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of compensating at least one radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations, comprising an act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage and a radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
48 words
A method of compensating at least one radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations, comprising an act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage and a radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage and a radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling the radiation senior bias voltage of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage and a radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling the radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of compensating at least one radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations, comprising an act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the at least one radiation sensor is enclosed in a radiation shield, and wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling a radiation shield temperature of the radiation shield.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of compensating at least one radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations, comprising an act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the at least one radiation sensor is enclosed in a radiation shield, and wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling a radiation shield temperature of the radiation shield.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of compensating a plurality of radiation sensors for ambient temperature variations, comprising an act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of determining an average temperature of at least some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of compensating a plurality of radiation sensors for ambient temperature variations, comprising an act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of determining an average temperature of at least some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
90 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors based on the average temperature of at least some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of compensating at least one radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations, comprising an act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the at least one radiation sensor is enclosed in a package, and wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of determining the ambient temperature that exists inside the package.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of compensating at least one radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations, comprising an act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the at least one radiation sensor is enclosed in a package, and wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of determining the ambient temperature that exists inside the package.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on a comparison of the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and the determined ambient temperature.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of compensating at least one radiation sensor enclosed in a package for ambient temperature variations, comprising acts of: controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature; and determining the ambient temperature that exists outside and proximate to the package; and wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on a comparison of the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and the determined ambient temperature.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of compensating at least one radiation sensor enclosed in a package for ambient temperature variations, comprising acts of: controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature; and determining the ambient temperature that exists outside and proximate to the package; and wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on a comparison of the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and the determined ambient temperature.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
49 words
An apparatus, comprising; a controller to compensate at least one radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage and a radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
49 words
An apparatus, comprising; a controller to compensate at least one radiation sensor for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage and a radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the controller controls the radiation sensor bias voltage of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the controller controls the radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate at least one radiation sensor enclosed in a radiation shield for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage and a radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the controller controls a radiation shield temperature of the radiation shield in response to changes in the ambient temperature.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate at least one radiation sensor enclosed in a radiation shield for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage and a radiation sensor bias current of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the controller controls a radiation shield temperature of the radiation shield in response to changes in the ambient temperature.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate a plurality of radiation sensors for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the controller determines an average temperature of at least some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
65 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate a plurality of radiation sensors for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the controller determines an average temperature of at least some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the controller controls at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors based on the average temperature of at least some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate at least one radiation sensor enclosed in a package for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature, wherein the controller determines the ambient temperature that exists inside the package.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate at least one radiation sensor enclosed in a package for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature, wherein the controller determines the ambient temperature that exists inside the package.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the controller controls at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on a comparison of the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and the determined ambient temperature.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate at least one radiation sensor enclosed in a package for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature, wherein the controller determines the ambient temperature that exists outside and proximate to the package; and wherein the controller controls at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on a comparison of the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and the determined ambient temperature.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
118 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate at least one radiation sensor enclosed in a package for ambient temperature variations, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one radiation sensor in response to changes in the ambient temperature, wherein the controller determines the ambient temperature that exists outside and proximate to the package; and wherein the controller controls at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor based on a comparison of the temperature of the at least one radiation sensor and the determined ambient temperature.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of compensating a plurality of radiation sensors for ambient temperature variations, the plurality of radiation sensors providing a respective plurality of output signals, the method comprising acts of: controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in an ambient temperature; and determining an average signal of at least some of the plurality of output signals, the average signal representing an average temperature of at last some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of compensating a plurality of radiation sensors for ambient temperature variations, the plurality of radiation sensors providing a respective plurality of output signals, the method comprising acts of: controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in an ambient temperature; and determining an average signal of at least some of the plurality of output signals, the average signal representing an average temperature of at last some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
85 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the act of controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of the at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in the ambient temperature includes an act of controlling at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors based on the avenge signal.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate a plurality of radiation sensors for ambient temperature variations, the plurality of radiation sensors providing a respective plurality of output signals, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the controller determines an average signal of at least some of the plurality of output signals, the average signal representing an average temperature of at least some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus, comprising: a controller to compensate a plurality of radiation sensors for ambient temperature variations, the plurality of radiation sensors providing a respective plurality of output signals, the controller controlling at least one of a radiation sensor bias voltage, a radiation sensor bias current, and a temperature of at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors in response to changes in an ambient temperature, wherein the controller determines an average signal of at least some of the plurality of output signals, the average signal representing an average temperature of at least some of the plurality of radiation sensors.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the controller controls at least one of the radiation sensor bias voltage, the radiation sensor bias current, and the temperature of the at least one of the plurality of radiation sensors based on the average signal.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for thermally stabilizing an array of sensors, each sensor of the array having a signal output responsive to temperature, the method comprising acts of: determining an average temperature of the array based on the signal output of at least some sensors of the array; generating a feedback signal proportional to the average temperature; and thermally stabilizing the array at at least one predetermined temperature based on the feedback signal.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for thermally stabilizing an array of sensors, each sensor of the array having a signal output responsive to temperature, the method comprising acts of: determining an average temperature of the array based on the signal output of at least some sensors of the array; generating a feedback signal proportional to the average temperature; and thermally stabilizing the array at at least one predetermined temperature based on the feedback signal.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein the act of thermally stabilizing includes an act of applying the feedback signal to a thermoelectric device coupled to the array.
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