THE EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC SCATTERING AND ABSORPTION ON THE PERFORMANCE OF OPTICAL SENSORS,

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Abstract:

Derivation of convenient analytical expressions for the effects of atmospheric scattering and absorption on the performance of optical sensors, including the human eye, photoelectric detection systems, passive infrared scanners, and gated-viewers. The factor that limits the performance of each sensor is found in terms of the apparent radiance of the target and its surrounding background. The transmittance for this limiting factor can then be determined. Findings indicate that with commonly encountered visibility ranges and scene albedos, the performance degradation caused by the atmosphere differs widely between the various sensors. Passive infrared and gated-viewing systems, being unaffected by path luminance, are considerably less degraded in performance by a scattering atmosphere than are visual or photographic systems, while the degradation suffered by photon-noise-limited systems lies between these extremes. Author

Author(s):
Bailey, H. H. ; Mundie, L. G.
Author Organization(s):
RAND CORP SANTA MONICA CALIF
Pagination:
0040

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
RM-5938-PR
Contract/Grant Number(s):
F44620-67-C-0045
 Subject Terms
Communities of Interest:
Sensors
Descriptor(s):
(*LIGHT TRANSMISSION, ATMOSPHERES), (*OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS, DETECTION), DETECTORS, VISION, INFRARED PHENOMENA, LIGHT, TARGETS, SCATTERING, ABSORPTION, OPTICAL SCANNING
Field(s)/Group(s):
Optical Detection and Detectors, Infrared Detection and Detectors, Optics
Report Date:
1969 Mar 01