SCD solutions for Missile Warning System applications

SCD has developed a series of Infra Red (IR) detectors based on the well established technologies of InSb diodes and the most advanced analogue and digital signal processors. These detectors exhibit great advantages for Missile Warning System (MWS). Their special modes of operation combined with a high level of performance enable efficient optimization for MWS applications. These high-end applications require special features including large dynamic range, high frame rate, high sensitivity at low signal and dual-color detection. The first detector that was developed for MWS applications is the "Blue Fairy" detector which has 320x256 elements. After the "Blue Fairy" a new generation of digital detectors was developed, starting with "Sebastian". Sebastian is based on a novel digital Focal Plane Processor (FPP) with formats of 640x512 and 480x384 elements. A detector based on two Sebastian Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) assembled on a single substrate with a high degree of registration provides a good dual-color solution for MWS systems. In this paper the special features and the performance of all these detectors are presented showing their advantages for MWS applications.