Evaluation of Night Vision Devices for Image Fusion Studies

Abstract

Night Vision Devices (NVD) using Image Intensification (II) technology are among the most important sensors used by ground troops and aviators in night operations for modern combat. With the intensified images from these devices, soldiers can see an enemy's movement better and further in darkness. This thesis explores different test methods in evaluating the performances and sensitivities of several NVDs for future image fusion studies. Specification data such as sensitivity, resolution (Modulation Transfer Function) and pixel size are obtained. Comparative analyses of the collected results are made to characterize the performances of the different NVDs. A new method using MATLAB programming to objectively analyze digitized images for characterization of II based NVDs is proposed. This test method can also be extended to the evaluation of Thermal Imaging (TI) systems for comparative analysis with II NVDs. In addition, the feasibility of testing NVDs using both II and TI technologies, with common operating conditions and target boards is discussed. Finally, the potential of using these digitized images for image fusion studies is verified with the test and evaluation results.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA429709

Entities

People

  • Cheng W. Kiang

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Detectors
  • Digital Images
  • Electro-Optics
  • Electron Multipliers
  • Electron Tubes
  • Image Processing
  • Light Sources
  • Military Operations
  • Modulation
  • Night Vision
  • Night Vision Devices
  • Optics
  • Surveillance
  • Target Recognition
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Test Methods
  • Transfer Functions

Readers

  • Circadian Sleep-Wake Regulation and Chronobiology
  • Computer Vision.
  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.