Objective Techniques and Instrumentation for the Inspection of Fire Control Systems
Abstract
Currently, the image quality of optical instruments is assessed by human observers and resolution targets. This technique creates problems because it is subjective and may cause disputes in borderline situations. An alternative method that would yield an objective evaluation was considered necessary to avoid the problems associated with standard resolution charts. A program was established to evaluate the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the U.S. Army issue binocular model M19. The MTF of the instruments and the resolution measurements were to be compared in an attempt to correlate the results. Initial findings, together with the results from a similar project conducted in the United Kingdom, showed that no correlation existed between the two test methods. The possible explanation for this result is that the human observer is coherently coupled to the optical instrument and the eye, as part of the optical system, can compensate for aberrations within the instrument under test. For this reason the MTF was not considered a viable alternative to the present method of using a human observer and resolution targets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA137521
Entities
People
- J. Salerno
Organizations
- United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center