Novel Infrared Camouflage Technology Based on Electrochromism

Abstract

Abstract In order to meet the urgent need of developing advanced infrared camouflage technology, a novel concept of infrared regulation based on cooperative control of emissivity and temperature was proposed. Combining the traditional calculation model of infrared characteristics with the control strategy of proportional-integral-differential (PID), the corresponding model of the infrared control system was designed. By integrating the electrochromic material with the thin film resistor, the theoretical feasibility of the infrared control system was verified by the principle prototype. Subsequently, the models of space target and corresponding profiling decoy were established. Meanwhile, the infrared camouflage characteristics of profiling decoy in the 3–5 µm band and the 8–14 µm band were investigated, respectively. The results reveal that the profiling decoy with cooperative control of emissivity and temperature can achieve a more satisfactory effect of infrared control than that of ordinary temperature control. The cooperative control system can effectively reduce the overshoot of radiation and has the ability of fast response, high control precision, and control stability. The theoretical approach provides useful insight for the deep understanding of infrared control and support further research on infrared camouflage.