Modeling for Improved Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference Measurements
Abstract
The minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) is widely accepted as the parameter that best describes the field performance of a thermal imaging system (TIS). Mathematical modeling that accurately predicts the MRTD has been of major interest to the infrared community over the last 30 years. This work review the currently accepted models for predicting the MRTD. Simplifying assumptions used by these models which deal with the target spectrum are discussed and tested using specifications taken from a standard forward looking infrared (FLIR) system. In addition new models are proposed and tested. Two of these models are a direct extension of the recently proposed Vortman-Bar-Lev adaptive matched filter. A third model is based on the novel concept that the MRTD curve is predictable from a threshold condition on the visibility rather than the signal-to-noise ratio, of the system-degraded bar pattern.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA246389
Entities
People
- Alejandro R. Ugarte
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School