24-10-2012, 01:45 PM
Hardening and Testing the Video Transmitter and Camera for the Shoulder-Fired Video Imager
ABSTRACT
In support of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s effort to develop and test a shoulder-fired video imager, the Southern
California Microwave video nano-transmitter (VNTX) and Supercircuits PC182XS and PC72XS cameras were hardened (i.e,
made to withstand shocks as great as 8000 g’s) and shock tested. The components were tested at an acceleration that exceeds
the maximum acceleration to be seen during the video imager tests on a bunker defeat munition. Shock testing revealed that
filling the case of the transmitter with glass beads enabled it to sufficiently support the electronic components and allow a
shock level of 8085 g’s with no adverse effects. The PC182XS camera survived an equal shock level in a dedicated shock
fixture but failed at a similar shock level when mounted in the imager round. The PC72XS survived shock at 7347 g’s after
replacement of the standard crystal oscillator with a surface-mounted crystal. Both the VNTX transmitter and PC72XS camera
have been sufficiently prepared and tested to allow for use on the shoulder-fired video imager project. Further work can be
done to qualify these two components for higher acceleration gun launches if desired.
ABSTRACT
In support of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory’s effort to develop and test a shoulder-fired video imager, the Southern
California Microwave video nano-transmitter (VNTX) and Supercircuits PC182XS and PC72XS cameras were hardened (i.e,
made to withstand shocks as great as 8000 g’s) and shock tested. The components were tested at an acceleration that exceeds
the maximum acceleration to be seen during the video imager tests on a bunker defeat munition. Shock testing revealed that
filling the case of the transmitter with glass beads enabled it to sufficiently support the electronic components and allow a
shock level of 8085 g’s with no adverse effects. The PC182XS camera survived an equal shock level in a dedicated shock
fixture but failed at a similar shock level when mounted in the imager round. The PC72XS survived shock at 7347 g’s after
replacement of the standard crystal oscillator with a surface-mounted crystal. Both the VNTX transmitter and PC72XS camera
have been sufficiently prepared and tested to allow for use on the shoulder-fired video imager project. Further work can be
done to qualify these two components for higher acceleration gun launches if desired.