Lesson plan
Focal-plane array testing
Focal plane array testing is a specialized field of test engineering. Focal plane array (FPA) imaging devices are used in missile guidance sensors, infrared astronomy, manufacturing inspection, and thermal imaging. Focal plane array testing is the process of verifying and validating that these devices function correctly. Focal plane arrays are complex to develop, in some cases the fabrication process may have more than 150 steps, testing of these devices must ensure that each step has the desired result. The actual test methodology used for testing focal plane arrays differs depending on the type of device. However, the types of tests usually fall into one of the following categories: diagnostic, performance, statistical, system simulation, or end-to-end simulation.
Article summary
Focal plane array testing is a specialized field of test engineering. Focal plane array (FPA) imaging devices are used in missile guidance sensors, infrared astronomy, manufacturing inspection, and thermal imaging. Focal plane array testing is the process of verifying and validating that these devices function correctly. Focal plane arrays are complex to develop, in some cases the fabrication process may have more than 150 steps, testing of these devices must ensure that each step has the desired result. The actual test methodology used for testing focal plane arrays differs depending on the type of device. However, the types of tests usually fall into one of the following categories: diagnostic, performance, statistical, system simulation, or end-to-end simulation.
Key claims
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.