Night vision technology

Initial situation

Enabling operation at night was and still is one of the most important tasks of passive imaging devices (cameras and night vision goggles) in defence and security applications (military, boarder protection etc.). Today’s technologies enable using the complete optical spectrum from the visible up to the thermal infrared. Roughly to differentiate are the visible and near infrared (VIS/NIR), the shortwave infrared (SWIR) and the thermal mid wave (MWIR) and long wave (LWIR) infrared. Each of these ranges has its own advantages and disadvantages. Knowing these and the corresponding technology state of the art enables and improves selecting and operating cameras in night vision applications.

The Fraunhofer IOSB Night Vision Technologies Group has the knowledge for analytic and experimental assessment of passive imaging devices in night vision applications.

This includes:

• Market and technological development observation.
• Performance assessment by laboratory and field tests.
• Development and validation of figures of merit

These competences enable

• Advisory service for acquisition of night vision devices, e.g. technical definition for requests for proposals.
• Advisory service for the operation of night vision devices, e.g. advisory opinion for task applicability.
• (Comparative) Experimental assessment, e.g. within request for proposals.
• Support in developing night vision technology, e.g. data collection for algorithm development.