Dynamic infrared scene projection: a review

Abstract

Since the early 1990s, there has been major progress in the developing field of dynamic infrared scene projection, driven principally by the need for hardware-in-the-loop simulation of the oncoming generation of imaging infrared missile seekers and more recently by the needs for realistic simulation of the new generation of thermal imagers and forward-looking infrared systems. In this paper the current status of the dynamic infrared projection field is reviewed, commencing with an outline of its history. The requirements for dynamic infrared scene projection are examined, allowing a set of validity criteria to be developed. Each class of infrared projector that has been investigated—emissive, transmissive, reflective, laser scanner and phosphor—together with the specific technology initiatives within the class is described and examined against the validity criteria. In this way the leading dynamic infrared scene projection technologies are identified.