LETTER TO <SANITIZED> FROM J. H. SMITH RE CONTRACT 7129/100, 296-66WR

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05752624
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 9
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: February 10, 2021
• Case Number: F-2011-01575
• Publication Date: November 28, 1966

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EXCLUDED FRDIVI AUTOMATIC
DOWNGRADING AND DHIASSIHCATiON
Igtfa DA.L.,1,10 VICTOR, COMPA_I\TY
BELMONT, CALIFORNIA � LY 1-1414
November 28, 1966
Attention: Dr. William B.
Gentlemen:
In accordance with Contract 7129/100, 296-66WR, three copies of
the Final Report and the Final Operating Manual are enclosed.
These items complete the delivery of all items on this contract
including its change orders and amendments. Being sent under
separate cover is a complete set of drawings along with a set of
reproduceables.
One copy of the Final Report and Final Operating Manual have
been forwarded to the attention of the Contracting Officer in Los
Altos, California. In addition, two copies of the Final Operators
manual only, and one set of drawings have been sent to Mr. Dave
Lane of LTV Electrosystems.
Yours very truly,
DALMO VICTOR COMPANY
Division of Textron Inc.
RBM:JHS:cw H. Smith, Product Manager
Electro-Optic Systems
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FINAL REPORT
LOW LIGHT LEVEL TELEVISION SYSTEM
November 28, 1966
Dalmo Victor Company
Belmont, Calif.
7. /-
Prepared by: /C /
R. B. "Mc ntosh
Approved by:
E X C, DID fRUM AU T 3M AT C
F A 73 Ail 21 L.;'.7,.0 LA S A I [ON
Project Engineer
2e-t
Paul Me gers, AVIanager
Adv. Electro-Optics
Engineering
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FINAL REPORT
LOW LIGHT LEVEL TELEVISION SYSTEM
A low light level television system, containing the following components
was completed on November I, 1966:
A. 1 - LLLTV camera head containing an
B. I - Wide angle camera lens containing
control sensor.
C. 1 - Camera electronics box containing
control circuitry.
D. 2 - Television display monitors.
E. 1 - Two axis rate stabilized platform.
F. I - Servo electronics box.
G. 1 - Control console.
H. 2 - Platform hand controls.
I. 1 - Set of interconnecting cables.
image intensifier-SEC Vidicon.
an automatic iris and iris
LLLTV processing and iris
The system underwent final checkout and test at Dalmo Victor during the
week ending November 6, 1966. On November 6, 1966, this system was
transported to LTV's facility at Greenville, Texas where a week was
spent on aircraft installation and flight testing.
The purpose of this report is to describe the test results obtained at
Dalmo Victor and at Greenville.
A.
FINAL SYSTEM CHECKOUT AND TEST
1. Purpose
The purpose of this test was to establish that each unit of the
system, as well as the system as a whole, was operating properly
in accordance with previously established performance criteria.
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2. Optolin.er Resolution Test
The first method by which camera resolution was measured
utilized a Spectra Model TV0-2000 C optoliner. This instru-
ment contains a standard RETMA chart reticle which is il-
luminated by a calibrated 2870�K light source. The reticle is
imaged on the fiber optics faceplate of the camerats image in-
tensifier. The illuminance of the image can be attenuated from
1.0 to I x 10-8 ft-c at the intensifier photocathode by means of
calibrated neutral density filter inserts. The optoliner illumin-
ance can be calibrated for both intensity and color by an attach-
able calibration unit which was compared to a standard NBS
lamp.
Resolution tests employing an optoliner provide the most con-
venient and consistent method for evaluating the cameras both
quantitatively and qualitatively. However, there is the dis-
advantage that the effect of the camera lens cannot be included.
3. RETMA Chart Resolution Tests
To measure the resolution of a complete camera, including its
lens, a standard RETMA television chart is employed. The chart
is positioned to a distance from the camera where it just com-
pletely fills the camera field. For a one inch diameter photo-
cathode, the lines per inch markings on the wedges of the RETMA
chart directly correspond to camera resolution in lines per picture
height. The chart is then illuminated uniformly by a calibrated
2870�K source which has the ability to be either attenuated con-
tinuously by an iris, or in decade steps by neutral density filters.
The brightness of the chart is determined by a photometer. The
Photo Research, Inc. Spot Photometer having a field of view of
approximately 10 x I� is used to determine the brightness of the
high light or white portions of the chart.
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It can be shown that the illumination on the photocathode of the
image intensifier is equal to
BT
E - �
4 F2
where
E = photocathode illuminance in foot candles
B = chart brightness in lumens per steradians per ft. 2
To = lens transmission
F = lens f-number
4. Additional Tests
The television monitors are aligned with standard television test
equipment. As the monitors are incorporated in the overall
camera resolution tests their performance is included in the
resolution measurements.
The platform was checked to determine that it was operating
properly. A vibration and transient shock test was conducted
to establish that it was properly rate stabilized. The platform
was controlled individually by the two hand controls. Slew rates
were adjusted for desired response and damping.
The automatic iris was tested to determine that it provided
proper attenuation for light levels ranging from I x 10-7 ft-c
to conditions of total sunlight. The system was operated out-
side the laboratory in sunlight for the high level check.
A pressure holding test was made on the lens and camera head
and the accuracy of the cross reticle, the elevation and azimuth
indicators on the control console were checked.
5. Final Test Results
a. Optoliner Resolution Tests
1.
The high light limiting resolution measured
at 1 x 10-3 ft-c at the photocathode was 515
lines/picture height.
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2. The low light resolution at 1 x 10-7 ft-c at the
photocathode was 275 lines/picture height.
b. RE TMA Chart Resolution Tests
1. The high light limiting resolution at 1 x 10-3 ft-c
was 425 lines/picture height at maximum aperture.
The high light limiting resolution at 1 x 10-2 ft-c
was 500 lines/picture height minimum aperture.
2. The low light limiting resolution at 1 x 10-7 ft-c
was 225 lines/picture height.
c. Additional Tests
1. The camera presentation did not show any effects ,
when the platform base was subjected to simulated
aircraft vibration and shock.
2. The platform hand controls slewed the camera head
at approximately a 0.5 radian per sec. rate. Con-
trol overshoot was negligible.
3. The automatic iris was found to keep the input light
level below a point where both the automatic target
and manual target control could safely discharge
high light portions of the SEC Vidicon. target. At
low light levels, the iris opened completely.
4. The camera lens pressure was measured at 6.5
psi after a 24 hour hold period. The lens was
initially purged with 8 psi of dry nitrogen. The
camera head maintained a pressure of 7 psi after
a 24 hour hold period. The camera was initially
purged with 8 psi of dry nitrogen.
5. The azimuth and elevation meters on the operator's
console indicated the position of camera head with
respect to the platform base within 0.5� of arc.
6. The cross reticle indicated the position of the plat-
form base (aircraft axes) on the monitor displays
within 0.5� of arc.
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B. FLIGHT TEST NO, 1
The first of a series of two flight tests was conducted at Greenville
the evening of November 9, 1966. The flight commenced prior to
sunset and extended into deep twilight. The sky was 100% overcast
with a thick low altitude cloud layer. The system was turned on
shortly after takeoff and remained on through landing. The camera
operated satisfactorily for the duration of the flight. The low light
level performance could not be completely evaluated as the flight
was terminated before conditions of total darkness. The flight
terminatedearly because the.caging on the platform could not be
released. This failure was traced to an improper 28V dc fuse value
in the servo electronics box.
Some graininess was observed on a portion of the SEC Vidicon
target. This effect resulted from the fact that the SEC Vidicon
beam current was set at its maximum value during the flight. The
appearance of target graininess at high beam setting is charac-
teristic of SEC tubes. It is primarily a cosmetic effect as it does
not measurably degrade camera resolution.
C,
FLIGHT TEST NO. 2
The second flight test was conducted the evening of November 10,
1966. The flight started approximately half an hour prior to sun-
set and lasted through total darkness. The sky was clear and
moonless. The flight was made at 1000 feet over a sparsely
populated triangular course. A slight ground haze was observed
occasionally after sundown. The camera and platform operated
perfectly for the duration of the flight. The platform was caged
and uncaged a number of times to demonstrate the elimination
of the problem encountered during the previous flight test. The
camera presented a picture of standard quality during the period
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up to sunset. After sunset and until total darkness, the camera
demonstrated a distinct advantage over the eye. Foliage appeared
white and rivers and other bodys of water appeared distinctly black
against the rather low contrast countryside. The average con-
trast of the land surrounding Greenville is low. The land is dry
and the majority of vegetation (grass fields with occasional scrub
and trees) is a grey-brown. The soil itself is black velvet clay.
Newly cultivated fields are jet black and present no noticeable re-
flection.
During the period of extreme darkness, very little could be seen
on the television display; occasionally a river or body of water
could just be distinguished. Some roads were observable. When
a car was present on a road, the road was visible for a considerably
long distance beyond that illuminated by its headlights.
Over all ranges of light level, building and vehicle lights did not
effect the overall picture quality. During starlight illumination,
when the camera was panned down and observing maximum V/H
ratios, a slight short-term streaking resulted from a bright light
in the camera field.
Target graininess was not noticeable at light levels above extreme
darkness. During extreme darkness, its effect was negligible on
camera resolution.
D. DISCUSSION OF FLIGHT TEST RESULTS
The results of final tests at Dalmo Victor and flight tests at Green-
ville demonstrated that the system met all specifications and objec-
tives of the contract. The following personnel operated and evalu-
ated the low light level television system during the two flight tests;
Robert McIntosh, James Smith and Keith Henke of Dalmo Victor,
and Flight Director Chuck Michealson of LTV Electrosystems.
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Chuck Michealson. approved LTV's signoff on a DD2 5 0 form, acting
for the customer on the basis of the successful flight performance
of the system.
Two observations were made during flight testing which warrant
consideration in specifying future systems. The wide angle lens
produces a large ground presentation on the screen which gives
no magnification aid to the eye. A considerably smaller field of
view would appear satisfactory for the identification of naviga-
tional aids. In addition, the presence of some low power magni-
fication in the system would make the television more useful dur-
ing daylight and twilight hours. Specific target identification
could be achieved with greater ease and the system operated at
higher altitudes because of increased angular resolution.
It was noted that while the SI intensifier has the advantage of having
a response extending into the near infrared, its overall low light
level performance is almost a factor of 10 less than cameras em-
ploying S-20 image intensifiers. Had an S-20 tube been employed,
it is felt that very useful camera results would have been obtained
with the clear starlight illumination. Several small fires were
easily detectable, however, previous flight test experience has
indicated that this is also the case with S-20 photocathodes. The
only advantage of the Si is its ability to detect targets which are
heated just below the point of incandescence. Positive identifica-
tion of such objects would require a higher angular resolution
available in narrower field lenses.
E. STORAGE AND OPERATING TEMPERATURE PRECAUTION
Westinghouse Electric Corporation, the manufacturer of the SEC
Vidicon, have recently warned users of SEC Vidicons that this
tube should not be stored or operated at temperatures exceeding
1 3 5�F. Tubes subjected to higher temperatures have, in some
cases, experienced a reduction in sensitivity. It is recommended
that every precaution be made to keep the camera storage and
operation temperatures below 135�F.
-8 - e4; 179. Y71
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