Preliminary study on distinguishment method of low-level-light night vision devices

With the continuous development of low-level-light (LLL) night vision technology, the LLL night vision devices show the characteristics of many varieties, large performance differences, and wide application fields. How to sort out the main line of development from numerous LLL night vision devices has become a research hot spot for practitioners of low-light night vision devices. The development history of the zero-generation, first-generation, second-generation, third-generation, and ultra-second generation LLL night vision devices was reviewed. The industry-recognized methods for distinguishing the zero-generation, first-generation, second-generation, ultra-second generation, and third-generation low-light night vision devices were summarized. The concept of the fourth-generation low-light night vision device was put forward, and at the same time the position of several atypical low-light night vision devices in the technical field of low-light night vision devices was explained, and a tree diagram was drew, so that the technical characteristics of each low-light night vision device and their position in the field of low-light night vision device technology could be intuitively, accurately, and comprehensively understood. The proposed perspectives have a certain reference role for researchers engaged in low-light night vision device technology.