Development of Night Vision Devices - Research Paper Example

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF NIGHT VISION DEVICES. The First Editions and Experiments with Night Vision Devices. Night vision device (NVD) is an optical instrument that makes it possible to produce images in levels of light approaching total darkness (Stew 1). These devices are mostly used by the military and law enforcement agencies. In the mid 1930s, Germanys developed the first practical night vision device that was used by both the German tanks and infantry. By and large, the first editions of these devices were referred to as generation 0 (Stew 20). They incorporated active infrared to brighten up the scene. This was followed by generation 1 devices that relied on ambient light as opposed to an infrared light source. Examples of these devices include AN/PVS-2. With the changing technology, second generation night vision devices were developed. These devices featured a more advanced image intensifier than the previous generations (Stew 31). Seemingly, better clarity of the image was realized. Examples of these devices includes AN/PVS-4 and AN/VS-5 What Called For These Devices to Be Implemented Into Our Society Global population increase led to increased incidences of criminal activities. To curb this vice government institutions alongside nongovernmental organizations installed the night vision devices within their structures, this enabled proper monitoring of activities. The persons that thought of and developed this technology A night vision scientist, John Johnson, developed methods that predicted the target detection, identification and recognition (Anonymous 1). Upon the development of the image intensifier instrument, Johnson involved volunteer’s observers in order to test an individual ability to identify targets under varied conditions. Notably, this period marked a considerable development in the performance modeling of the night vision imaging systems. Other scientists behind this technology were George, Goodrich, James Ignatowski and William Wiley. They researched on the continuous channel electron multiplier APPLICATIONS FOR NIGHT VISION DEVICES. Application towards Safety Personnel using them For Search and Rescue. Night vision devices are used all over the world in rescue and maritime search. In a man overboard scenario, only the head of the person floating is visible. It is often visible as red or white balls against a dark background because the thermal heat of t greater the human head is greater than that of the water thus creating a 24 hour response capability (Anonymous 1). Moreover, managing rescue at the sea has always been a complex undertaking. Occasionally, on scene commandos employ thermal imaging to keep track of the victims and their rescue personnel in the water. Notably, the improved situational awareness often increases the safety of all involved. As such, incorporation of the thermal imagers allows the maritime personnel to monitor whatever that is happening on land even in the event of darkness. Scientists using them for Further Scientific Research. Dr. Mark Horns of the department of engineering science and mechanics at Penn State University is working on the materials for night vision use. Thermograph employs vanadium oxide since its resistance changes with temperature (Vogel 36). It has been established that the relation between the change in temperature and resistance results to the temperature coefficient of resistivity of a material. At Penn State University, Dr. Horns group are currently studying on how nanotechnology enhancement to the material properties and fabrication methods can help increase the temperature coefficient of resistivity for higher sensitivity, as well as, reduce production costs. The materials used are produced in the lab primarily by engaging the Pulsed DC Sputtering (Vogel 39). Medical Personnel using A Variant of NVDs for Practice or Further Medical UUT LIFESTAR’S is a civilian aero medical program that has embraced the night vision technology. It has been certified by the federal aviation administration to use the night vision goggles. This milestone will allow the pilots to fly planes into areas that were once deemed to be beyond limits without posing any danger to the pilots. UT LIFESTAR’S has always been committed towards the safety of its program and the patients relying on them FUTURE RESEARCH AND OR IMPROVEMENT. The Possibility of Human Augmentation Key human factors in the night vision technology are the cognitive and visual performance as well as, physical and physiological aspects. Thus, understanding technology and these contextual factors together with their influence on human factors is vital to later improvements on the performance and safety with the night Visions devices. As suggested by the chief technologist, Joseph Estrera, of the Northrop Grumman’s electro-optical systems that there exists plenty of room for improvement in night vision technologies. He asserts that the night vision devices should be improved to be as light as possible as opposed to their weight currently. Notably, size, weight, power, and the three bugaboos mounted on a modern day marine or soldier still remains to be critical issues. Studies have revealed that, for more light to be taken in, the night vision devices must have a wider aperture –of about 1.2 f-stop on most of the cameras. However, as it is known by professional photographers, a wider the aperture results into smaller field depth. Thus, for the troops using this technology, they are forced to adjust their goggles by hand. As such, work has been ongoing to ensure hands free digital technology is realized, particularly, a wave front coding technology found on portable phone cameras that enables users to take pictures without focusing. Future Research to make these Devices and Minimal and Power Efficient as Possible. For enhanced safety, fusion technologies have been incorporated it enhances the image by giving the night vision its characteristic green glow (Liu 55). Also, Infra red doesn’t rely on the ambient light but instead picks up heat signatures thus fusing the two will provide a better clarity for the camouflaged targets henceforth giving a better contrast. Other developments are underway to produce optically fused enhanced night vision goggles. It still remains unclear whether the army intends to mass produce these optical fused goggle or they will wait until the digital system is mature. Also in progress is the multispectral adaptive tactical and networked imaging system that has a potential to a quantum jump in technology. Under the funding of NASA, research has been underway with the overall goals of determining the critical human factors issues involving pilot’s military and civil use of the night vision devices. Another goal of this research is to conduct studies as well as simulation research aimed at pilot capabilities and problems related to both civil and military use. In addition, to identify and evaluate the potential technological solutions to the problems, and last but not least to create a knowledge base that ensured informed decision making certifying of the night vision devices CURRENT USE – MILITARY AND CIVILIAN AND TYPES OF DEVICES The Military use of NVDs Ranging from Night Vision Targeting Lasers and Beacons Infrared radiations is emitted by all objects, thus a thermal imager has the capability to see the environment irrespective of the lighting conditions. This implies that unlike the night vision device such as Near-Infrared (NIR) laser systems as well as, Night Vision Devices (NVDS), use of a thermal imager gives a clear undisturbed vision in complete darkness and dense fog. Thus this makes it an ideal marine tool. Indeed the night vision device allows a person to see even in situations where no sights are available at all. Notably, floating debris rocks, and other structures are also visible even in complete darkness. Such technological systems are intended for spotting missiles as well as, aircraft. Military use of NVDs during night time raids and assaults, special operations and flying Development of the night vision devices began during World War II. Currently these have become a critical component of modern warfare. Indeed the ability to see during the night offers room for military maneuvers as well as the potential advantage to the forces equipped with these technologies. This technology relies on minute light levels of the starlight and night sky illumination in order to help the image and the surroundings (Liu 39). When the military ground vehicles need to operate in darkness, drivers can incorporate night vision camera devices to navigate covertly in a hostile environment. Unlike other technologies night vision long wave infrared and shortb wave infra red can image through the windscreen /shield and thus they can be mounted in the driver’s compartment for the drivers eye view of the way ahead. Currently tankers are fitted with three optical systems, this includes, driving aiming as well as the commander sights. Civilian use of NVDs for Flying at Night, Low Light Conditions, and Search and Rescue. Low light level operations produce decreased visual resolution thereby making hazard detection more difficult night vision goggles devices provides a great improvement as opposed to the unaided human night vision (Liu 34). When the goggles are properly focused at starlight a person can achieve a nighttime visual acuity of 20/30 or 20/40. With the latest NVG a helicopter pilot has an advantage over his fixed wing counterpart in the calculation of the terrain features in the low light conditions. Indeed the latest generation of night vision goggles provides an even sharper contrast thus improving pilot’s situational awareness Types of Night Vision Devices Night vision devices fall into two classes, as highlighted, thermal imaging and the image intensifying or near infra red (IR). Thermal imaging systems work by the principle of detecting the differences in the heat signatures produced by target objects while the infrared devices employ the electro-optical technology to amplify far off light sources such as the stars through intensifiers that are used to capture the image on a phosphor display. Different types of night vision devices are in place, this includes generation 0, Generation 1, and Generation 3 as well as Super Gen devices. Work cited Anonymous. Fire Arms History Technology and Development Night Vision Devices. 2011. Accessed on 29th march 2013 Hess, Paul. Army Identifies Soldiers Killed in Crash, UP. 2002. Accessed 29th march 2013 < http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20021213-124412-7962r>. Vogel, Sourcy, Wesley. Handbook of Incident Reporting: Glasgow. Glasgow University Press. 2002. Print. Stew, Moses. Researchers Push For Advances in Night Vision Technology: London: John and Sons. 2007. Print. Liu, Fujimura. Detection and Tracking with Night Vision. Intelligent Transportation Systems, IEEE Transactions, vol. 6, pp. 63-71, 2005. Read More