Abstract

The Airborne Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AIRIS) was developed by the Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to perform infrared hyperspectral emission measurements of ground-based targets from an airborne platform. AIRIS is made up of three main components: the FTS-based hyperspectral imager, the broadband video channels, and pointing control system. The FTS module supports spectral resolutions varying from 16 up to a maximum of 1 cm-1 and spans the region 2 to 12 microns (830 to 5000 cm⁻¹). The hyperspectral imager spatial resolution is 8x8 pixels. Three broadband video cameras are also used as part of AIRIS: a long-wave (8–12 µm) thermal imager, a mid-wave (3–5 µm) thermal imager and a color visible camera. The third component of AIRIS is its pointing control that allows ground targets to be selected and tracked. Specific details about this system are described and example measurements given. Finally an outline of the program to upgrade AIRIS to include real-time processing of the spectral imagery data will be presented.

© 2007 Optical Society of America