Thermal Imaging Through the Atmosphere: Atmospheric MTF Theory and Verification

Dan Sadot, G. Kitron, N. Kitron, Norman S. Kopeika

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Both active and passive atmospheric modulation transfer function (MTF) measurements carried out simultaneously in both thermal imaging atmospheric windows are presented. Results indicate rather significant angular spatial frequency dependence of the MTF, in contradiction to the conventional approach which assumes contrast transfer is atmospheric transmission only. A theoretical explanation is discussed based upon aerosol forward scattering and absorption effects which are shown to be angular spatial frequency dependent and yield MTF results similar to those measured. This means that small targets are blurred much more than large targets by the atmosphere, thus also affecting target acquisition probabilities.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of SPIE - Atmospheric Propagation and Remote Sensing II
EditorsAnton Kohnle, Walter B. Miller
PublisherSociety of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
Pages59-70
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)081941204X
StatePublished - 15 Sep 1993
EventAtmospheric Propagation and Remote Sensing II - Orlando, FL, USA
Duration: 11 Apr 199316 Apr 1993

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume1968
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceAtmospheric Propagation and Remote Sensing II
CityOrlando, FL, USA
Period11/04/9316/04/93

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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