NIGHT VISION TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT

Night vision is the ability to see in low light conditions. Whether by biological or technological means, night vision is made possible by a combination of two approaches: sufficient spectral range, and sufficient intensity range. Humans have poor night vision compared to many animals, in part because the human eye lacks a tapetum lucidum.[ A night vision device (NVD) is an optical instrument that allows images to be produced in levels of light approaching total darkness. They are most often used by the military and law enforcement agencies, but are available to civilian users. The term usually refers to a complete unit, including an image intensifier tube, a protective and generally water-resistant housing, and some type of mounting system. Many NVDs also include sacrificial lenses, IR illuminators, and telescopic lenses.

Night vision devices were first used in World War II, and came into wide use during the Vietnam War. The technology has evolved greatly since their introduction, leading to several "generations" of night vision equipment with performance increasing and price decreasing. Another term is "night optical device" or NOD.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE PAGE

CERTIFICATION PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY

DEFINITION OF TERMS

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

TYPES OF RANGES

SPECTRAL RANGE

INTENSITY RANGE

BIOLOGICAL NIGHT VISION

NIGHT VISION TECHNOLOGIES

CHAPTER THREE

NIGHT GLASSES

ACTIVE INFRARED

LASER RANGE GATED IMAGING

THERMAL VISION

IMAGE INTENSIFIER

NIGHT VISION DEVICES

GENERATIONS

GENERATION 1

GENERATION 2 (GEN II)

GENERATION 3 (GEN III)

OMNIBUS-VII (GEN III+ OR GEN IV)

5.3 REFERENCE