Two Models for Predicting the Probability of a Cloud-Free Line-of-Sight
Abstract
Two modeling approaches are proposed to predict the probability of a cloud-free line-of-sight (PCFLOS) from space-borne sensor to a missile or other object. The models, which account for various cloud conditions and zenith angles, are suitable for military training and simulation purposes. One approach uses a set of detailed models to generate a cloud scene and randomly place m issiles within it. A simulated sensor then detects the missiles to which it has a CFLOS and the fraction detected is interpreted as the PCFLOS. The second approach is a simplified model that constructs two-dimensional scenes containing rectangular clouds. The fraction of area that remains visible between clouds from a collection of scenes is the PCFLOS. This calculation relies on cloud metrics that are evaluated in consideration of meteorological observations and then tuned to improve agreement with the detailed model. The detailed model approach is computationally expensive, but can be used to precompute a range of values, from which a required PCFLOS can be interpolated. The simplified model is computationally inexpensive and easy to implement, however it requires a set of detailed model results for tuning purposes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 08, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA419420
Entities
People
- Guy P. Seeley
- Susan A. Triantafillou