AN OPTIMUM SYSTEM SYNTHESIS FOR OPTICAL RADIOMETRIC MEASUREMENT,

Abstract

The minimum detectable signal of an optical radiometer was optimized as a function of modulation and correlation waveforms, and relative amplitudes of source, reference, and noise levels. The mathematical model considers the radiometer as a device to estimate the variance of a Gaussian random process with zero mean. It was found that the optimum system is one which 'looks' at the source for one half of the period and then abruptly switches to the reference for the remainder of the period. The theoretical results for three commonly encountered waveforms were computed and laboratory measurements confirm the results that were interpreted in terms of the detector parameter NEP. These are: (1) The optimum radiometer as described above for which the minimum detectable signal is Pm = 2 NEP. (2) The sine wave radiometer, which utilizes a tuned ac amplifier to select the fundamental sine wave component of the modulated signal for which Pm = 2.46 NEP. (3) The radiometer which produces a triangular wave resulting from the convolution of a chopper blade with an aperture of the same width for which Pm = 4 NEP. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1968
Accession Number
AD0686112

Entities

People

  • Alvin M. Despain
  • Clair L. Wyatt
  • Doran J. Baker

Organizations

  • Utah State University

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • Amplitude
  • Convolution
  • Detectors
  • Mathematical Models
  • Measurement
  • Models
  • Modulation
  • Radiometers
  • Sine Waves
  • Waveforms
  • Waves

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Approximation Theory.
  • Electronics Engineering
  • Spectroscopy.