Validation of infrared sensor model with field-collected imagery of unresolved unmanned aerial vehicle targets

Heath Gemar, Ronald G. Driggers, Gene Tener, Carl Halford, Nicolette Fudala, Jennifer Hewitt, Robert Short, Teresa Pace, Drew Manville, David Shelton, Michael Theisen, David Gaudiosi, Craig Olson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

An infrared (IR) sensor model is validated using experimentally derived peak pixel signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) versus range for detection of either an unresolved or a resolved unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) target. The model provided estimates the time-averaged peak SNR values for the ranges used in the field collection. A mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera and a long-wave infrared (LWIR) camera provided the measured data. Commercially available UAVs are flown along a line from the cameras to a clear sky region for background. A laser range finder measures the range at seven stopping points along the path. The data result in five ranges of unresolved target information for the MWIR camera and in four ranges for the LWIR camera. We provide details for using the data collected from the model to match the cameras used in the field collection. Also, the processing used to extract peak SNR versus range from imagery is presented.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number053107
JournalOptical Engineering
Volume58
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • LWIR
  • MWIR
  • infrared sensors
  • infrared systems
  • modeling
  • unresolved unmanned aerial vehicles
  • validation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Validation of infrared sensor model with field-collected imagery of unresolved unmanned aerial vehicle targets'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this