Modeling and experimental testing for future development of Night Vision Electro-Optic (NVEO) FLIR92 Model

Abstract

Recent advances in thermal imaging technology have resulted in the fielding of two-dimensional array detector based imaging systems. These designs have been labeled second-generation, and are rapidly replacing first generation systems having linear detector arrays with a parallel scan type architecture. It has been postulated that first generation prediction models are not applicable to second generation systems. In particular, the minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) modeling needs refinement in the areas of sampling, quantization noise, and array non-uniformities in order for it to be applied to second generation systems. The present industry standard for MRTD is the Night Vision FLIR92 Model. Results from the FLIR92 Model and the two well known first generation models will be presented and compared with experimental measurements made on two thermal imaging systems available at the Naval Postgraduate School.