Self-compensating method for bolometer-based IR focal plane arrays

We present a self-compensating system for fixed pattern noise reduction (FPNR) of focal plane arrays (FPAs) of infrared bolometer detectors. It is based on a first-order ΔΣ modulator serving as a non-saturating signal integrator. The demonstrated method suppresses both the effect of bolometer resistance due to non-uniformity across the FPA as well as the self-heating effect. The proposed system does not require any external or internal feedback loop for FPNR. This approach can be also used for other applications where a signal compensation is required.