A Digital System for the Characterization of Electro-Optical Sensors.

A video signal measurement system which provides more reliable estimates of the performance parameters of E-O sensors than has been possible using previous methods is described. This system, consisting of 100 MHz sample-rate transient recorder interfaced to a minicomputer, acquires data from a sensor under test at near-real-time rates and then rapidly analyzes the data to obtain performance parameter estimates. The use of the system for the measurement of signal-to-noise ratios, signal transfer functions, spectral transfer functions, modulation transfer functions, aperture response, and noise spectral density are described. The measurement of the above parameters under static and dynamic conditions with stationary and moving targets is discussed. Results of measurements performed on a low light level television sensor are given along with a comparison of the measurements obtained on this sensor using standard analog methods.