The proliferation of Imaging JR sensor technology has grown far beyond the Common Module FUR. Imaging JR sensors are being used in smart weapon applications, surveillance applications, and a number of commercial applications. Further, the technology available for Imaging JR has matured to the extent that the sensor developer and designer has many options with respect to detector technology, focal plane configuration, and system architecture. In the Common Mod era the mission solution had to fit the Common Mod design, whereas in the post Common Mod era the technology will be able to fit the mission requirement. The U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) is currentlyfacing a growing situation in which practical and affordable Imaging JR solutions are being proposed that are not scanning HgCdTe systems. In order to properly evaluate these systems and make recommendations to decision makers MICOM has developed the MICOM Imaging Infrared System Performance Model, 1990 version, (MIISPM-90), code to evaluate this diversity in technology. This paper will discuss how the MIISPM-90 code makes use of government codes, inputs from industry, field test data, as well as new code development to meet the demands of modeling Imaging IR performance for a wide variety of technologies and system designs. MIISPM-90 models traditional scanning systems, as well as systems which use SPRITE, Schottky Barrier Diode, scanning FPA, or staring FPA technologies. The code incorporates the latest modeling approaches to aliasing, image reconstruction, minimum detectable temperature, and minimum trackable temperature. MIISPM-90 includes the capabilities of the FLIR-90 code from the
An improved acceptance test procedure for imaging infrared (IIR) equipment has been developed to remove subjectivity, improve repeatability, and decrease the time and expense over existing methods. Traditional procedures for acceptance testing of hR equipment require manual minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) measurements at multiple spatial frequencies with both positive and negative contrast targets. Although the manual measurement of MRTD is the standard evaluation technique used in developmental testing, it is deficient for use as an acceptance test. The main limitations are subjectivity, length of time required, and manpower (i.e., cost). The Missile Guidance Directorate (MGD) of the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center has developed the automated infrared sensor test facility (AISTF) to perform automated acceptance tests and remove the subjectivity of the test procedure. The AISTF measures the modulation transfer function, noise equivalent temperature difference, 3-dimensional noise analysis, field-of-view, and non-subjective MRTD of the unit under test (UUT). The software interface for the AISTF provides an efficient means for a single test conductor to set up and conduct the test. The software controls the experiments by selecting the appropriate target, setting thermal contrast, acquiring digital imagery, and performing image analysis. Test results are provided in a detailed report and stored in a database. In addition to production line acceptance testing, the AISTF should be applicable to flight-line testing, R&D analysis, and sensor characterization.
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