Driver's Vision Enhancer
Encyclopedia
The Driver's Vision Enhancer (DVE) is a passive Thermal Imaging System used to enhance a driver's viewing capabilities while operating during degraded visual conditions, such as darkness, fog, smoke or dust.
The DVE system consists of a Display Control Module (DCM), Sensor Module (SM), and interfacing manual and electronic Pan-and-Tilt Mechanisms (PTM and EPTM). The system operates from a single input voltage of 16 to 32 VDC. This system is typically utilized in tactical military vehicle
s, providing marked improvements over the previously existing systems.
There are currently two primary DVE Sensor manufacturers: BAE Systems
and DRS Technologies
.
(-273.15° C / -459.67° F) emit Infrared Radiation (IR), an invisible form of light beyond the optical spectrum.
The optical spectrum is part of the electromagnetic energy spectrum which consists of ultraviolet
, visible, and near, middle and far-infrared energy. Only a small part of the optical spectrum is visible to the unaided eye. (Visible Spectrum
)
The Sun emits energy across the entire Electromagnetic Spectrum
. Solar energy strikes the surface of objects. Some of that energy is absorbed and stored as heat (Thermal Energy
). After sunset, this thermal energy remains and is emitted in the form of IR radiation.
The DVE system detects energy in the mid to far-infrared portion of the optical spectrum.
The DVE system consists of a Display Control Module (DCM), Sensor Module (SM), and interfacing manual and electronic Pan-and-Tilt Mechanisms (PTM and EPTM). The system operates from a single input voltage of 16 to 32 VDC. This system is typically utilized in tactical military vehicle
Military vehicle
A military vehicle is a vehicle that includes all land combat and transportation vehicles, which are designed for or are in significant use by military forces throughout the world. Vehicles that are armored or intended for combat are often referred to as armoured fighting vehicles....
s, providing marked improvements over the previously existing systems.
There are currently two primary DVE Sensor manufacturers: BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
and DRS Technologies
DRS Technologies
DRS Technologies, Inc. is a US-based defense contractor. Previously traded on the NYSE, the company was purchased by the Italian firm Finmeccanica in October 2008.-History:...
.
Theory of Operation
All objects above Absolute ZeroAbsolute zero
Absolute zero is the theoretical temperature at which entropy reaches its minimum value. The laws of thermodynamics state that absolute zero cannot be reached using only thermodynamic means....
(-273.15° C / -459.67° F) emit Infrared Radiation (IR), an invisible form of light beyond the optical spectrum.
The optical spectrum is part of the electromagnetic energy spectrum which consists of ultraviolet
Ultraviolet
Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible light, but longer than X-rays, in the range 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV...
, visible, and near, middle and far-infrared energy. Only a small part of the optical spectrum is visible to the unaided eye. (Visible Spectrum
Visible spectrum
The visible spectrum is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. Electromagnetic radiation in this range of wavelengths is called visible light or simply light. A typical human eye will respond to wavelengths from about 390 to 750 nm. In terms of...
)
The Sun emits energy across the entire Electromagnetic Spectrum
Electromagnetic spectrum
The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. The "electromagnetic spectrum" of an object is the characteristic distribution of electromagnetic radiation emitted or absorbed by that particular object....
. Solar energy strikes the surface of objects. Some of that energy is absorbed and stored as heat (Thermal Energy
Thermal energy
Thermal energy is the part of the total internal energy of a thermodynamic system or sample of matter that results in the system's temperature....
). After sunset, this thermal energy remains and is emitted in the form of IR radiation.
The DVE system detects energy in the mid to far-infrared portion of the optical spectrum.
Components
- Sensor Module (SM)(also known as Sensor Assembly(SA)). The AN/VAS-5 Viewer, Infrared System is a lightweight uncooled passive thermal imaging camera. The SM gathers the infrared image and transmits the data to the Display Control Module.
- Display Control Module (DCM) - A 10.4 inch, 640×480, flat panel active matrix liquid crystal displayLiquid crystal displayA liquid crystal display is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals . LCs do not emit light directly....
(AMLCD). The DCM is mounted on a flip-down mount in front of the vehicle driver and displays the data from the Sensor Module. - Pan-and-Tilt (PTM) and Electronic Pan-and-Tilt Mechanism (EPTM) - Manual or electronic mechanism used to move the externally mounted Sensor Module.
-
- Tactical Wheeled Vehicles - Vertical movement is limited to +35° and -60° elevation. Lateral movement is limited to ±90° left and right azimuth. (DRS)
- Combat Vehicles - Vertical movement is limited to +35° and -15° elevation. Lateral movement is limited to ±50° left and right azimuth. (DRS)
See also
- DRS DVE Product Page
- DRS DVE Brochure (PDF Format)
- Night visionNight visionNight 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...
- Image intensifiers