Applications and performance of an uncooled infrared helmetcam

The maturation and commercialization of uncooled focal plane arrays and high density electronics now enables lightweight, low cost, small camera packages that can be integrated with hard hats and military helmets. It is only recently that low weight, staring long wavelength infrared (LWIR) sensors have become available employing uncooled focal planes at array size and sensitivities that provide enough information for useful, man-portable, wearable applications. By placing the IR camera on the head, a hands-free infrared virtual reality is presented to the user. This paper describes applications, the design of a helmet mounted IR sensor and presents images from the helmetcam. The head gear described has a noise equivalent delta temperature (NEDT) of less than 50 milliKelvin, consumes less than 10 watts and weighs less than 3 kilograms.