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Irvine Sensors Miniaturizing Night Vision Cameras;
Vision Systems Unit Receives Follow-on R&D Contract
COSTA MESA, Calif., May 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Irvine Sensors Corporation
(Nasdaq: IRSN) announced today that the Vision Systems unit of its Advanced Technology Division (ATD) has received a $756,000 follow-on R&D contract,funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and managed by the U.S. Navy's Office of Special Technology (OST). The goal of the contract is to demonstrate a thermal infrared night vision camera weighing less than one pound and able to operate for days using AA batteries. The camera will use industry standard data formats so that it will be applicable to both military and commercial applications.
To achieve size and cost objectives, the new camera being developed will use Irvine Sensors' chip stacking technologies and extensive solid-state memories. This architecture allows very low power cameras to be designed that can operate over a broad temperature range without the cooler or other means of temperature stabilization typically found in conventional thermal night vision products. Because of this, the new infrared camera is expected to be the first in the industry that can operate in an instant-on mode rather than requiring temperature stabilization. This mode will also permit thermal still photography, a capability not available with stabilized thermal cameras.
With this award, the Vision Systems unit of ATD has now received over $2 million in funded R&D since its inception in 1999. Vision Systems was organized to exploit a range of Irvine Sensors proprietary technologies related to miniature digital imagers made with CMOS integrated circuits These background technologies were also central to the formation of Silicon Film Technologies, Inc., the Irvine Sensors subsidiary that is developing an Electronic Film System(TM) that permits conventional 35mm cameras to take digital photographs without modification to the camera itself. Bert Hornback, Irvine Sensors' Director of Vision Systems, served as Silicon Film's initial Chief Technology Officer during its formative stage.
Vision Systems is focused on the development of potential camera products that require low power, small size, and affordable prices. In addition to the long wavelength infrared application of the new DARPA/Navy contract, Vision Systems is also doing development work on visible and near visible (.8 to 1.7 microns) wavelength cameras. Also, camera electronics are in late stage development for a near infrared video camera that contains both a light source and a long-range RF data link. All current designs are very low power, allowing for extended operation from batteries, and are extremely compact,allowing for installation in easily concealed or highly portable housings or systems.
Irvine Sensors Corporation, headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, is primarily engaged in the development of high-density electronics, miniature sensors and sensor readout circuits, miniature cameras, optical interconnects, image processing and recognition devices, and low-power analog and mixed signal integrated circuits for diverse system applications. It generally seeks to commercialize these technologies through independently financed and managed subsidiaries.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this news release are forward-looking statements that are dependent on risks and uncertainties including such factors, among others, as the development risks inherent in new technology,the impact of competitive
technologies and the pace at which new markets develop. Irvine Sensors undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Further information on Irvine Sensors Corporation and its subsidiaries, including Silicon Film Technologies, Inc., is contained in publicly-filed disclosures available through the SEC's EDGAR database (www.sec.gov) or from the Company's Investor Relations.
SOURCE Irvine Sensors Corporation
-0- 05/16/2000
/CONTACT: Lynn O'Mara, Director, Corporate Communications of Irvine
Sensors Corporation, 714-444-8718, fax: 714-444-8840,
lomara@irvine-sensors.com/
/Web site: irvine-sensors.com
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