A video signal measurement system which provides more reliable estimates of the performance parameters of E-O sensors than has been possible using previous methods is described. This system, consisting of 100 MHz sample-rate transient recorder interfaced to a minicomputer, acquires data from a sensor under test at near-real-time rates and then rapidly analyzes the data to obtain performance parameter estimates. The use of the system for the measurement of signal-to-noise ratios, signal transfer functions, spectral transfer functions, modulation transfer functions, aperture response, and noise spectral density are described. The measurement of the above parameters under static and dynamic conditions with stationary and moving targets is discussed. Results of measurements performed on a low light level television sensor are given along with a comparison of the measurements obtained on this sensor using standard analog methods.

The field of radiometry can be dangerous territory to the uninitiated, faced with the risk of errors and pitfalls. The concepts and tools explored in this book empower readers to comprehensively analyse, design, and optimise real-world systems. This book builds on the foundation of solid theoretical understanding, and strives to provide insight into hidden subtleties in radiometric analysis. Atmospheric effects provide opportunity for a particularly rich set of intriguing observations. The term 'radiometry' is used in its wider context to specifically cover the calculation of flux. This wider definition is commonly used by practitioners in the field to cover all forms of manipulation, including creation, measurement, calculation, modeling, and simulation of optical flux. Two concurrent themes frame the discussion: fragmenting a complex problem into simple building blocks and then designing complex systems from smaller elements. Analysis and design, as a creative synthesis of something new, cannot be easily taught other than by example; for this purpose, several case studies are presented.This book also provides a number of problems, some with solutions demonstrated in Matlab(R) and the Python' pyradi toolkit.

This book describes the analysis and modeling involved with the design, specification and evaluation of electro-optical systems and components. The emphasis is on imaging infrared sensor systems, with analytical models that include the radiation source, atmospheric transmission, geometric and physical optics, a detector, amplifier and optical noise analysis, and detection and false alarm probabilities. Much of the analysis goes beyond what is normally available in engineering texts; the noise analysis includes a practical detector/amplifier 1/f noise model based, in part on real world results. The last chapter, "Example Calculations," includes a complete model of an infrared sensor system working in the 3 to 5 micron atmospheric transmission window. The examples, which incorporate much of the work of the previous chapters, shows how to specify the frame and integration time, detection and false alarm probabilities, array size, the angular resolution and so forth. Once these parameters are specified, using practical inputs, the various noise contributors are calculated, and important system level parameters are determined. The parameters include the signal to noise ratio, the specific detectivity (which is related to the sensitivity of the system) and dynamic range. This book is, however, more general than a sensor system book. The "Geometric Optics" chapter includes thick and thin lenses along with the other standard topics. "Electromagnetic Waves & Physical Optics" starts with Maxwell's Equations and ends with reflection at an air-metal interface. The chapter on "Angular Characterization & Related Parameters" includes aberrations, stops, vignetting, f-number, numerical aperture, diffraction and various geometric blur diameters. It also includes determination of array size, field of view, integration time, time delay and integration, etc. In "Radiometry and Photometry," various radiometric and photometric functions are defined, starting at radiant and luminous energy and ending with the Etendue Theorem. Tristimulus Colorimetry and the Photopic/Scotopic Spectral functions are also discussed. In the chapter, "Radiometry Calculation Procedures," conversions between various radiometric quantities are illustrated using a grey-body source; the background, signal, scattered and emitted flux are also considered. In "Detector and Amplifier Parameters," the electrical bandwidth, reset time, all major noise mechanisms, the Responsivity, Noise Equivalent Power, Specific Detectivity, are some of the topics discussed. In System Parameters, there are compact discussions of Fourier Transforms, the Autocorrelation Function, the Nyquist Criteria, Modulation Transfer Functions, Atmospheric Transmission, signal to noise and threshold to noise (detection/false alarm probabilities). The last chapter is the example calculation of sensor performance.

In today's world, the range of technologies with the potential to threaten the security of U.S. military forces is extremely broad. These include developments in explosive materials, sensors, control systems, robotics, satellite systems, and computing power, to name just a few. Such technologies have not only enhanced the capabilities of U.S. military forces, but also offer enhanced offensive capabilities to potential adversaries - either directly through the development of more sophisticated weapons, or more indirectly through opportunities for interrupting the function of defensive U.S. military systems. Passive and active electro-optical (EO) sensing technologies are prime examples. Laser Radar considers the potential of active EO technologies to create surprise; i.e., systems that use a source of visible or infrared light to interrogate a target in combination with sensitive detectors and processors to analyze the returned light. The addition of an interrogating light source to the system adds rich new phenomenologies that enable new capabilities to be explored. This report evaluates the fundamental, physical limits to active EO sensor technologies with potential military utility; identifies key technologies that may help overcome the impediments within a 5-10 year timeframe; considers the pros and cons of implementing each existing or emerging technology; and evaluates the potential uses of active EO sensing technologies, including 3D mapping and multi-discriminate laser radar technologies.

Electro-optical and infrared systems are fundamental in the military, medical, commercial, industrial, and private sectors. Systems Engineering and Analysis of Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems integrates solid fundamental systems engineering principles, methods, and techniques with the technical focus of contemporary electro-optical and infrared optics, imaging, and detection methodologies and systems. The book provides a running case study throughout that illustrates concepts and applies topics learned. It explores the benefits of a solid systems engineering-oriented approach focused on electro-optical and infrared systems. This book covers fundamental systems engineering principles as applied to optical systems, demonstrating how modern-day systems engineering methods, tools, and techniques can help you to optimally develop, support, and dispose of complex, optical systems. It introduces contemporary systems development paradigms such as model-based systems engineering, agile development, enterprise architecture methods, systems of systems, family of systems, rapid prototyping, and more. It focuses on the connection between the high-level systems engineering methodologies and detailed optical analytical methods to analyze, and understand optical systems performance capabilities. Organized into three distinct sections, the book covers modern, fundamental, and general systems engineering principles, methods, and techniques needed throughout an optical system’s development lifecycle (SDLC); optical systems building blocks that provide necessary optical systems analysis methods, techniques, and technical fundamentals; and an integrated case study that unites these two areas. It provides enough theory, analytical content, and technical depth that you will be able to analyze optical systems from both a systems and technical perspective.

An essential reference for optical sensor system design This is the first text to present an integrated view of the optical and mathematical analysis tools necessary to understand computational optical system design. It presents the foundations of computational optical sensor design with a focus entirely on digital imaging and spectroscopy. It systematically covers: Coded aperture and tomographic imaging Sampling and transformations in optical systems, including wavelets and generalized sampling techniques essential to digital system analysis Geometric, wave, and statistical models of optical fields The basic function of modern optical detectors and focal plane arrays Practical strategies for coherence measurement in imaging system design The sampling theory of digital imaging and spectroscopy for both conventional and emerging compressive and generalized measurement strategies Measurement code design Linear and nonlinear signal estimation The book concludes with a review of numerous design strategies in spectroscopy and imaging and clearly outlines the benefits and limits of each approach, including coded aperture and imaging spectroscopy, resonant and filter-based systems, and integrated design strategies to improve image resolution, depth of field, and field of view. Optical Imaging and Spectroscopy is an indispensable textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate courses in optical sensor design. In addition to its direct applicability to optical system design, unique perspectives on computational sensor design presented in the text will be of interest for sensor designers in radio and millimeter wave, X-ray, and acoustic systems.