DARPA selects Raytheon Intelligence & Space for revolutionary infrared sensors
Electronics that mimic human brain could consume 100 times less power than current IR sensors
EL SEGUNDO, California. (July 28, 2021) – Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies business, was awarded a contract valued up to $8.8 million for the Fast Event-based Neuromorphic Camera and Electronics, or FENCE, program.
Under the new project, Raytheon Intelligence & Space will advance an emerging class of electronics that better enable military infrared sensors. The technology would allow sensors to forego hours of data-intensive video streaming by reacting only when there is activity. The potential result is 100 times less data generated and 100 times less power used by the sensor compared to today’s IR sensors.
“Raytheon Intelligence & Space applies expertise to advanced military and aerospace electronics, underpinned by our commitment to deliver technological superiority to the U.S. Department of Defense,” said Brad Tousley vice president for Advanced Concepts & Technology at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. “We are undertaking a neuromorphic approach – that mimics the processing of the human brain – that could revolutionize how intelligent sensors are deployed on the battlefield.”
The award is for the first phase of the FENCE program. Under this 15-month phase, Raytheon Vision Systems will help develop an innovative readout integrated circuit, the component that creates data from infrared sensors, and Raytheon BBN will design processing and algorithm features.
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact [email protected]
