<title>Simulation of a class of in-band scene projectors for evaluation of hardware-in-the-loop testing compatibility and performance</title>

Abstract

Hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing can be used as an efficient and effective means for analyzing the performance of guided missile systems. Due to the limits of current technologies, components of the simulation are limited in their capability to simulate real-world conditions for certain test articles. One component which is critical in an HWIL system for strategic guided missiles is the scene projection or delivery device. To stimulate imaging JR sensors, this scene projector (SP) typically consists of a pixelized in-band source which can be modulated both spatially and temporally to simulate the radiane scene which would be observed during an actual engagement. The SP is driven by a scene generator which provides scene radiance information to the SP under control of a simulation computer, which determines the field-of-view (FOV) composition based on a simulated engagement.In using such a system, a primary concern is that the SP is able to create a scene which produces the proper response in the observing sensor. Another effect which bears examination is the SFs projection method, such as scanning an in-band source to cover the projection FOV. The detailed interaction between the modulated source and the timing of the sensor's detection, integration, and readout processes may cause unrealistic or unexpected sensor behavior. In order to assess the compatibility of a specific sensor viewing a specific SP, a detailed simulation has been developed by Nichols Research Corporation under the direction of the Guided Interceptor Technology Branch (WL/MNSI) of the USAF Wright Laboratory Armament Directorate. This simulation was designed primarily to address issues related to scene projector usage in the Kinetic Kill Vehicle Hardware in the Loop Simulator (KHILS) facility at Eglin AFB, Florida.The simulation allows the user to define: the spatial response of the sensor; the spatial properties of the SP (i.e. the radiance distribution arising from a commanded impulse); the illumination timing of the SP, such as scan format, persistence, etc.; and the integration and readout timing of the sensor. Given 0-8194-1 203-1/93/$6.00 SPIE Vol. 1967 / 99 Downloaded From: http://proceedings.spiedigitallibrary.org/ on 07/04/2016 Terms of Use: http://spiedigitallibrary.org/ss/TermsOfUse.aspx