Accession Number:

ADA063751

Title:

Limiting Point-Source Detection Capabilities of Two-Dimensional, Scanned, Optical Detector Arrays in Constant False-Alarm Systems

Descriptive Note:

Technical note

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH LEXINGTON LINCOLN LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Weber, Robert

Report Date:

1978-11-03

Pagination or Media Count:

29.0

Abstract:

An optical point-source detection system in which a constant number of false alarms is allowed per data set exposure time based on the post- detection processing, is considered. The detector is a two-dimensional scanned array. With a single threshold determined solely by the allowed false alarms, that minimum average signal necessary to satisfy a given requirement on the probability of detection for various background sky, in this instance and electronic noise levels is determined. This development leads to a critical signal-noise expression at the first photon to charge-carrier conversion surface which is not an explicit function of the standard deviation of the signal. This expression is used to compare the detection performances of noise-free and of noisy detector arrays using the parameters of typical, ground-based, satellite surveillance systems.

Descriptors:

• *OPTICAL DETECTION
• *OPTICAL SCANNING
• *SPACE SURVEILLANCE
• ARRAYS
• ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES
• BACKGROUND RADIATION
• GROUND STATIONS
• SIGNAL TO NOISE RATIO
• THRESHOLD EFFECTS

Subject Categories:

• Military Intelligence
• Optical Detection and Detectors

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE