Who We Are
Pender Technology personnel have extensive experience developing advanced
radiometric sensors that have been applied in various testing environments.
These test environments include diagnostics of advanced propulsion systems under
investigation in test cells, observations of high-energy detonations, aircraft
hardbodies, and rocket and turbine plumes during flight. In addition, we have a
broad experience in the characterization and calibration of these systems. The
use of extensive analytic predictive and interpretive tools and techniques
supplement the measurement capabilities.
Hardware Development
Pender Technology personnel have been part of an aggressive development program
that has been underway for two decades. The focus initially was on infrared
(IR) sensors, later on digital data systems and calibration techniques, then on
intensified ultraviolet (UV) sensors, and more recently includes Night Vision
and visible systems. All of these systems have been pushed toward high
sensitivities, broad dynamic ranges, and high resolution (spectral, spatial, and
temporal). A long-term emphasis area remains the development of imaging
spectrometers--instruments that simultaneously provide spatial and spectral
(hyper-spectral) information. IR, UV, Visible, Night Vision, and CIE-standard
colorimetry systems are currently being produced.
Data Analysis
All sensors include data systems that provide quick-look data almost immediately
following a collection. The final data product includes the calibration data,
the raw data, the engineering unit data (including calibration factors, ranges,
etc.) and the final data (which may include atmospheric corrections, range
interpretations, etc.). A typical report describing the collection includes
instrument descriptions, calibration results, data error estimates, cross checks
between sensors, and comparisons with previous collections and predictions.
These data are used by missile warning system developers to verify system
performance and develop threat detection and discrimination algorithms, by
propulsion system developers to assess system health and performance, by
aircraft development programs to develop and assess signature reduction schemes,
and by the modeling and simulation community to validate various predictive
models. Data reduction and analysis is typically performed using an in-house
developed software package called the Advanced Data Analysis and Presentation
Toolkit (ADAPT). This Java based software can be
easily configured to accept data from any similar radiometric device.
Past Experience
Over the past decade, Pender Technology personnel have supported numerous
measurement programs. DoD, NASA, EPA as well as private industry customers have
been supported. In particular, Pender Technology personnel worked extensively
with the Joint Tactical Missile Signatures (JTAMS) Joint Test Force to develop
standards for acquiring tactical missile signature data. These standards are
described in the Tactical Missile Signature Measurement Standards Handbook,
produced by JTAMS.