DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF NIGHT-VISION GOGGLES SYSTEM

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Night vision technology, by definition, literally allows one to see in the

dark. Originally developed for military use, it has provided the United

States of America with a strategic military advantage, the value of

which can be measured in lives. Federal and state agencies now

routinely utilize the technology for site security, surveillance, as well as

search and rescue Night vision equipment has evolved from bulky

optical instruments in lightweight goggles through the advancement of

image intensification technology (wikipedia.com).

The first thing you’d probably think of when you see the words night

vision is a spy or action movie you’ve seen, in which someone straps on

a pair of night-vision goggles to find someone in the dark building on a

really work? Can you see in the dark?” The answer is definitely yes.

With the proper night vision equipment, you can see a person standing

over 200 yards (183 m) away on a moonless, cloudy night!

The United States Defense department mainly for defense purposes

developed night vision technology, but with the development of

technology, night vision devices are being used in day-to-day lives. In

this project, the various principles of working of these devices that have

changed the outlook both on the warfront and in our common lives will

be dealt with.

Night vision can work in two different ways depending on the

technology used.

(i) Image Enhancement – this works by collecting the tiny amount

of light including the power portion of the infrared light

spectrum, those are present but may be imperceptible to our

the image.

(ii) Thermal Imaging – this technology operates by capturing the

upper portion of the infrared light spectrum, which is emitted

as heat by objects instead of simply reflected as light. Hotter

objects such as warm bodies emit more of this light than cooler

objects like trees or buildings

Fig. 1.1 BLOCK DIAGRAM OF THE NIGHT VISION GOGGLE

Fig 1.1 shows the block diagram of the night vision goggle

 Objective lens: captures ambient light and some near-infrared

visible. light that you see through the eyepiece

Micro-channel plate: The MCP is contained in a vacuum and has metal

electrodes on either side of the disc and it works as an electron

multipier

 Photocathode:This is used to convert the photons of light energy

The aim of the project is the Design and construction of Night Vision

Goggles System, which is used in different places to view objects at a

distance either close or far clearly at night.

The following objectives will be implemented to achieve the set aim:

1)To build an image intensifier tube which changes photons to

electrons and back again

II)To build a power supply for the image-intensifier tube with voltage of

about 5000voltage
III)To build a photocathode used to convert the photons of light energy

into electrons

IV)To build a screen coated with phosphor which provides perfect

image when hitted by electrons

1.3 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The nigerian military through out history has suffered the advantage of

being able to maneuver effectively under the cover of Darkness which

necessitate the need for a night vision devices.

1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

Detectives and private investigations use night vision systems to watch

people they are assigned to track. Many businesses and sensitive

industries such as banks, museums, warehouses etc, have permanently

mounted cameras equipped with night vision technology to monitor

the surroundings.

1.5 SCOPE/LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

how it can be implemented and different stages on how it is being used

by the military, companies, and industries.

1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS

 IMAGE ENCHANCEMENT

This works by collecting the tiny amount of light, including the

lower portion of the infrared light spectrum, that are present but

may be imperceptible to our eyes, and amplifying it to the point

that we easily observe the image.

 THERMAL IMAGING

This technology operates by capturing the upper portion of the

infrared light spectrum, which is emitted as heat by objects

instead of simply reflected as light. Hotter objects such as warm

bodies emit more of this light than cooler objects like trees or

buildings.
MCP: Micro Channel Plate.

HONEYCOMB: This is a faint hexagonal pattern which is the result of

the manufacturing process.

NVD: Night Vision Device.

ELECTRONS:  Electrons are the subatomic particles that orbit the

nucleus of an atom. 

FILAMENT: a conducting wire or thread with a high melting point,

forming part of an electric bulb or thermionic valve and heated or

made incandescent by an electric current.

SCREEN:  An image may be defined as that point, where the light

rays coming from an object meet or appears to meet after

reflection or refraction.

RADIATION: the emission of energy as electromagnetic waves or

as moving subatomic particles, especially high-energy particles

which cause ionization.

rays coming from an object meet or appears to meet after

reflection or refraction.

IMAGE INTENSIFIER TUBE: An image intensifier is a

vacuum tube device for increasing the intensity of available light

in an optical system to allow use under low-light conditions, such

as at night, to facilitate visual imaging of low-light processes, such

as fluorescence of materials in X-rays or gamma rays

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 INTRODUCTION

Military tacticians throughout have seen the disadvantages of being

able to maneuver effectively under the cover of darkness. Historically,

attempted. During the World War II, the United States, Britain, and

Germany worked to develop rudimentary night vision technology. For

example, a used infrared sniper scope that used near-infrared cathodes

coupled to visible phosphors to provide a near infrared image converter

was fielded. A small number, perhaps 300 sniper scopes, were shipped

to the Pacific sometime in 1945, but received very little use. Their range

was less than 100 yards and they were used mainly for parameter

defense. However, this device has several disadvantages. The infrared

sniper scope required an active IR searchlight that was so large that it

had to be mounted on a flatbed truck. Any soldier equipped with

similar equipment could detect this active IR searchlight. The rifle-

mounted scope also required cumbersome batteries and provided

limited range. However, the infrared sniper scope showed the night

vision technology was on the horizon. Military leaders immediaelty saw

many uses for this technology beyond snipping our enemy under the

cover of the darkness. An army equipped with night vision goggles,

The Nigerian Army Corps of Engineering, for example will be able to

build bridges and repair roads at night providing a measure of safety

from any airborne attack. The next challenge in night vision technology

would be the development of passive systems that did not require IR

searchlights that might give away a soldier’s position to the enemy.

2.2FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPT:

2.3REVIEW OF RELATED WORKS

 Military power by Jafrad Vuran (University of Nottingham 2006

 Mechanical couple by Brad Bushier (MIT 2013).