The hyperspectral MR Series of spectroradiometers consist of a FTIR Michelson interferometer configured with dual output ports used to cover the LWIR and the MWIR + SWIR spectral range at the same time.
The MR Series are the leading field infrared spectroradiometers in both reliability and performance, with unparalleled market dominance since its launch in 1989 (over 150 systems have been installed around the world). The MR Series of spectroradiometers have earned a high reputation based on very high spectral resolution and radiometric reproducibility, sensitivity, and wavelength accuracy.
The FTIR technology’s performance superiority, combined with the high radiometric accuracy, made the MR series the top FTIR spectroradiometer. Customers choose the ABB MR Series because it can provide spectral measurements precision within their expectations.
In particular, the high resolution provides narrow spectral structure in the infrared radiation domain, which is highly important to military characterization requirements. The MR spectroradiometers series were adopted by many defense research organizations worldwide (in operation in over 20 countries).
Superior Design
Equipment reliability and confidence in instrument performance is essential for smooth and efficient measurement campaigns or field trials. Durability and robustness set the MR series spectroradiometers apart from other commercial FTIR spectroradiometers.
The rotary scanning mechanism uses corner-cube-retroreflectors and frictionless flex-pivots. The interferometer design has been well-established with over 3600 units produced and more than 400 billion of scan cycles successfully acheived.
The permanently aligned interferometer (patented rotary scanning mechanism) displays both high reliability and excellent stability of radiometric response. The MR interferometer is balanced with respect to its center of rotation, so it can be operated in any orientation (practical for airborne operation).
Features
The MR Series of spectroradiometers have gained a superior reputation based on outstanding performance, with the following system advantages:
- Dual output and input ports, allowing acquisition from two detectors at the same time
- Provided with liquid nitrogen cooled detectors (MR170, MR304LN) or with internal Stirling cooled detectors (MR304SC)
- Broad selection of telescopes, boresighting devices, and accessories
- Broad spectral range (1 – 15 µm), covering LWIR to NIR
- High spectral resolution, (1 cm-1) equivalent to a filter radiometer with more than 9000 channels
- High radiometric accuracy and stability of response over a broad dynamic range
- High NESR sensitivity, allowing characterizing weak signal in short time periods
- Rapid scanning, allowing the measurement of the evolution of quickly varying target signatures
- Extended FOV homogeneity, resulting in better accuracy regardless of where the target is in the FOV
- Compact and portable for easy deployment in airborne operation and field operation
Applications
Wide Range of Applications
The MR Series ruggedized instruments are the ideal solution for:
- Military IR target characterization
- Fugitive gas detection and identification
- Chemical agents signature measurement
- Atmospheric composition analysis and meteorological sounding
- Industrial emission monitoring
Defense and Security Tool of Choice
MR Series Spectroradiometers have specifically been developed for the following applications:
- Characterization of thermal emission signatures of targets such as: missiles, airplanes, helicopters, rockets, ground vehicles, drones, ships etc.
- Spectral characterization of camouflage systems and thermal signature optimization
- Development, analysis, and improvement of IR decoy emission spectra and advanced heat seekers counter-measure systems
- Countermeasure IRCM/IRCCM
- Categorizing battlespace detonations, including muzzle flash, bomb-hit detonation, and missile launches
- Categorizing fugitive emissions for developing infrared signature databases
- Remote sensing of battlefield conditions for developing a number of deployable reconnaissance solutions
Capturing Fast Moving Targets
Rapidly evolving targets are moving in space and/or feature unstable radiated intensity. They are frequently a combination of unstable radiated energy and unstable position in space, which make it hard to capture the discharged energy with good radiometric accuracy.
Considering a rocket, a plane, a flare, a missile, or explosions as examples, the targets are traveling in position within the instrument FOV and its radiant intensity and spatial size vary over time. Explosions stay within the same location but the size and the radiated intensity differs over time.
Fast Characterization using Simultaneous Bands
Quickly evolving targets measurements require very short measurement interval of time and measurement of all the spectral bands at the same time so the relative intensity of all the spectral bands remain in good agreements. Measurement of the spectral bands successively (i.e. filter-based spectroradiometer) can result in spectral band relative intensity errors as the target radiant intensity alters during the measurement time.
The MR series FTIR spectroradiometer technology is perfect for maintaining a good relative agreement between the spectral bands, as all the wavelengths are measured concurrently through the measurement time.
Characterizing Weal Signal with the Hyperspectral MR Series FTIR Spectroradiometers