Bertin and Photonis Launch Fusionsight
Philippe Demigné CEO of Bertin Technologies, in his speech at Eurosatory held in Paris 13-17, 2016 introduced the newly established Night Vision Technology Innovation alliance to members of the press, industry competitors and other distinguished participants who attended the FusionSight product launch. “The alliance between three medium sized companies Bertin Technologies, Photonis and OPTSYS is all about putting together what we do best and bringing competencies together.”
FusionSight’s assets include:
All-in-one with 3 viewing modes: color low light, thermal and smart fusion
Night & day threat & camouflage detection (ranging up to 3 km)
Ergonomic design inspired by user’s needs
Image recording & HD video output for proof collection
Bruno Vallayer, Managing Director of Bertin Systems and Instrumentation shared that the revolutionary night vision innovations began nearly 3 years ago with Photonis, the world’s leading image intensifier. Photonics has 1,200 employees across 3 production sites, France, Netherlands and the US with over $ 108 million in revenue, of which 10% has been allocated toward R&D for the last 20 years. “Together we decided to take the lead in building on the latest fully-mastered optronics innovations” saying “this business is essentially the battlefield – all NATO affiliates do business with us. It’s a growing business, we continue to grow our business, its necessary everywhere.”
FusionSight is the world-first compact monocular that combines a color low light sensor with a thermal image sensor. When combined, these sensors enhance situational awareness and provide users with the option of using a thermal image, color optical image or a fused thermal and full color image, that can also be recorded. FusionSight is the industry’s first hand held device that features smart color fusion of images. The first image is recorded by a state-of-the-art color-imaging sensor (powered by PHOTONIS) that provides a color image in extreme low light conditions (~10 mlx) without additional illumination. The second image is recorded by a high-resolution thermal imaging sensor that can detect in any night condition (down to 1 mlx). The embedded real-time image processor automatically selects key information from each sensor, allowing users to see at dark night even better than in broad daylight, and can record and be saved as a digital file. The smart digital fusion also overcomes the traditional limitations of each individual sensor: FusionSight® can detect through smoke, other obscurants and in deep night conditions with a thermal sensor, while providing an optical color image that can detect through windows with sufficient resolution to allow positive identification thanks to the color imaging sensor.
Project partner Photonis provided their Kameleon Colour Image Sensor for the FusionSight. The sensor uses a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) similar to mobile phones, which in itself cannot distinguish colors. To identify color, a patented innovation allows two raw images and a reconstruction algorithm to reproduce the final image in color, in real time. In 2015, PHOTONIS received the prestigious French Army “Prix General Chanson” award for their innovative
digital night vision sensor. An added advantage of the Kameleon sensor is the ability to use it under daylight and at night, up to night level 3 (quarter moon with cloud cover). In lower light levels, the sensor will revert visible images to black and white. Kameleon is developed by the Photonis’ Digital Imaging division.
PeriSight
Night & Day Vision Enhancer for Vehicle PeriSight is a network of imaging sensor modules offering multiple viewing channels - color low light and thermal. The system provides night and day 360°
surveillance in short range to enhance Land Situational Awareness (LSA). Patented smart low light/thermal fusion allows Driver Vision Enhancement (DVE). Fully digital, PeriSight enables additional key features such as shared user video stream, electronic stabilization, automatic detection and target tracking. Developed to meet customer requirements, PeriSight is compatible with any kind of vehicle.
