Techniques for measuring comparable lab and field MTFs

Jordan Rubis; Patrick Leslie; Jeffery Meier; Ellie Spitzer; Eddie Jacobs; Ron Driggers

doi:10.1117/12.3013803

7 June 2024 Techniques for measuring comparable lab and field MTFs

Jordan Rubis, Patrick Leslie, Jeffery Meier, Ellie Spitzer, Eddie Jacobs, Ron Driggers

Proceedings Volume 13045, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXXV; 1304510 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3013803
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2024, National Harbor, Maryland, United States

Abstract

Modulation Transfer Functions (MTFs) describe how a sensor system transfers spatial frequencies of a scene through an imaging system. For Infrared systems, lab measurements are performed in a laboratory setting with a collimated source and a tilted edge target. This method is the standard way to measure a sensor’s performance metric. When these sensors are used for practical applications in the field, factors such as focus, atmospheric turbulence, and path radiance limit the performance of the system. These environmentally induced blurs need to be considered when designing sensor systems to ensure the required performance is met. The effects of these factors on the sensor’s performance can be quantified by measuring an MTF while in the field. By matching laboratory and static field MTFs, the effects of other blurs can be isolated, such as platform dynamics, vibration, and atmospheric turbulence, which will affect the performance of the system. To obtain a field MTF that matches one measured in the laboratory, the variable field conditions need to be well controlled. The effects of MTF target nonuniformity, tilt angle, illumination spectra, integration time, dynamic range, and number of pixels on target were explored as possible environmental factors affecting the quality of field MTF measurements.

Conference Presentation

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Jordan Rubis, Patrick Leslie, Jeffery Meier, Ellie Spitzer, Eddie Jacobs, and Ron Driggers "Techniques for measuring comparable lab and field MTFs", Proc. SPIE 13045, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXXV, 1304510 (7 June 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3013803

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available