Analysis and modeling of observer performance while using an infrared imaging system

Abstract

Infrared target acquisition models are used by the military analysis, acquisition, and testing community for sensor design, trade studies, and field performance prediction. We analyze the results of an identification field test, a laboratory perception test on imagery collected during the field identification test, and a perception test using the imagery collected during the field identification test with synthetically added vibration profiles. The purpose of the experiments is to validate model performance predictions in the field, perception laboratory, and to improve model performance predictions of an imaging sensor in the presence of a time varying vibration profile using the night vision integrated performance model (NV-IPM). The results of the observer responses to the image stimuli are analyzed using a mixed effects model at the level of the individual response to derive standard error estimates for the observer responses. The NV-IPM model of the imaging system is derived from field measurements. The field measurements are input into NV-IPM’s new simplified input interface. Results of the observer responses are compared to the NV-IPM model output. Finally, and in a similar fashion, the results of the synthetically added vibration profile experiment are analyzed and a discussion follows on modeling a system that has a time varying vibration component.