CiNeRaMa model: a useful tool for detection range estimate

Abstract

The analysis of radiometric relations is a basic requirement for the performance evaluation of any detection system. The CiNeRaMa model presents a tool for fast and reliable system assessment at many engagement scenarios including different targets, atmospheric properties and electro-optical sensors.The model determines the contrast-to-noise ratio ( CNR ) which depends on the detailed parameters of the particular scenario and in general cnnot be expressed analytically . Comparable models such as SENSAT-21 and GASIEL2 calculate the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the scene of interest . They do not include background clutter noise and thus are inadequate for accurate estimation of detection ranges of the target in the scene. The CiNeRaMa computer model includes the radiometric calculator-driver and file-interface with LOWTRAN-i3 computer code. The driver unit includes user-friendly interface for definition of the target spectral signature and sensor parameters (optics , spectral filters , detectors, etc. ) . The geometry and atmospheric conditions of engagement scenario are defined using LOWTRAN-7 code. They may include meteorology (visibility, humidity etc.) ,sensor and target position , sun coordinates , background temperature and albedo (terrain , clouds or space ) . The calculation includes path transmittance and radiance (including atmospheric thermal emission , solar single or multiple scattering ) , as well as target and background refi ecti on. The radiometric results of engagement scenario can be employed for sensitivity analyses of sensor design.