Computer Simulation of a Space-Based Infrared Surveillance Sensor
Abstract
Simulation of a Naval Research Laboratory space-based infrared surveillance sensor must include such basic effects as the time-varying geometry of the satellite-to-earth line of sight (LOS), atmospheric emission and attenuation, the optical blur of the sensor's telescope, and the noise and nonuniform response characteristics of the solid-state detectors. A user- oriented, menu-driven software, package called the End-to-End Simulation Package (EESP) has been developed to perform the necessary calculations. In addition to generating accurately simulated imagery, it includes a set of signal processing algorithms for finding moving targets. The EESP computation begins with real IR data (TIMS 1 and Hi-Camp 2 are the primary sources), accepts user inputs for many parameters (e.g., orbital altitude and position of satellite, pixel size, ground and observation point), and ends with target declarations. In between, all effects must be taken into account with sufficient accuracy to give valid results. The simulated sensor is a satellite-borne, scanning, IR radiometer. The satellite is placed in a circular orbit, unrestricted in altitude. The linear focal plane array is mounted in a telescope which, at the user's option can either be placed on a gimbal or use an external steering mirror to achieve LOS pointing control. The linear focal plane array consists of 512 detectors arranged vertically and scans horizontally across the scene through 512 pixels (pixel=resolution element) by means of a scan mirror.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 07, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA255521
Entities
People
- Robert Lucke
- Russell Rhodes
- William Shaffer
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory