Limiting Point-Source Detection Capabilities of Two-Dimensional, Scanned, Optical Detector Arrays in Constant False-Alarm Systems

Abstract

An optical point-source detection system in which a constant number of false alarms is allowed per data set (exposure time) based on the post- detection processing, is considered. The detector is a two-dimensional scanned array. With a single threshold determined solely by the allowed false alarms, that minimum average signal necessary to satisfy a given requirement on the probability of detection for various background (sky, in this instance) and electronic noise levels is determined. This development leads to a critical signal-noise expression at the first photon to charge-carrier conversion surface which is not an explicit function of the standard deviation of the signal. This expression is used to compare the detection performances of noise-free and of noisy detector arrays using the parameters of typical, ground-based, satellite surveillance systems.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 03, 1978
Accession Number
ADA063751

Entities

People

  • Robert S Weber

Organizations

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Charge Carriers
  • Data Sets
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Efficiency
  • Electrons
  • Equations
  • False Alarms
  • Ground Based
  • Optical Detection
  • Optical Detectors
  • Quantum Efficiency
  • Standards
  • Statistics
  • Two Dimensional
  • Warning Systems

Fields of Study

  • Engineering
  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Phased Array Antenna Design.
  • Regression Analysis.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects