Night Vision Imaging System (NVIS) applications require lighting that supports safe nighttime operations without compromising the performance of night-vision goggles. Incompatible light sources can reduce contrast, impair situational awareness and cause glare or image degradation. Instrument Systems’ NVIS testing solutions are designed to measure the spectral ranges and viewing geometries relevant to established standards such as MIL-L-85762A, MIL-STD-3009 and SAE AS 5452B.

The DTS140D NVIS system consists of the TOP 200 telescopic optical probe and the CAS 140D spectroradiometer. The TOP 200 uses an optimized Pritchard-style optical design to produce a sharp circular measuring spot. It includes six selectable apertures, interchangeable lenses, a large field of view with viewer camera for sample alignment and a fiber-coupled design with a patented mode mixer. The mode mixer compensates for changes caused by fiber movement.

The CAS 140D spectroradiometer covers the 380- to 1040-nm range and is adapted to the MIL requirements with dedicated NVIS bandpass filters and automatic sensitivity adjustment. The system architecture is designed to handle the extreme optical dynamic range between the visible and near-infrared regions that make NVIS radiance measurements so challenging. The DTS 140D NVIS display test system is delivered fully calibrated, including the MIL test certificate in accordance with MIL-L-85762A and MIL-STD-3009.

SpecWin Pro laboratory software provides functions such as live viewer image display, automatic pass/fail testing, data export and report generation in NVIS measuring mode. The system can also be integrated with positioning systems, such as the DTS 500 series, to measure emission patterns, viewing angles and panel graphics. In addition, software developer kits (SDK / dll) are available to automate all components and evaluate according to the MIL standard.

The Instrument Systems NVIS portfolio supports a broad range of applications, including military and rescue aviation, civil avionics, marine operations, police missions, medevac aircraft and special air cargo. Devices under test range from small symbols on push buttons up to large display panels. In addition, NVIS-friendly testing probes can be easily added for exterior lighting products.

Certified calibration and traceability are core elements of the offering. Measurements are traceable to the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in Germany and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the United States through Instrument Systems’ ISO 17025-accredited test laboratory. This supports comparability across locations, production lines and metrological setups.