NIGHTSIGHT Pan and Tilt

1.0: Glossary

2.0 Project Need

GM Hughes Electronics Corporation (GMHE) is a world leader in the design and manufacture of thermal imaging systems for military applications. Recently, Hughes Aircraft has recognized an opportunity to bring some of their traditionally military products to the civilian sector.

The NIGHTSIGHT thermal vision system represents Hughes' most recent effort to make their high technology products available and affordable for use in everyday police work. For law enforcement agencies, darkness represents a cover for criminal activity as well as an obstacle which complicates searches for missing persons or evidence. Similar to forward looking infrared (FLIR) technology used by the U.S. Military, NIGHTSIGHT is a revolutionary vision system capable of producing real time video pictures in total darkness. This infrared thermal imaging system produces video pictures based on heat emitted by objects in the field of view.

FIGURE 1. NIGHTSIGHT Prototype

    NIGHTSIGHT camera, equipped with wiper system, and control interface

Given that the NIGHTSIGHT camera itself has a limited field of a view, it is necessary to provide the user with the ability to survey an entire scene. The NIGHTSIGHT system only is only an advantage to law enforcement agencies if it is all-weather capable, durable, provides a stable picture, and is easy to operate/manipulate.

3.0 Problem Statement