Field Performance Prediction Method Based On Contrast Metric Of Target Sub Regions

Abstract

The field performance prediction of infrared imaging system is an important subject in infrared imaging field. In this paper, a novel method for predicting TA (target acquisition) performance is proposed, which combines the TOD (triangle orientation discrimination) threshold curve with an improved contrast metric based on the temperature in target sub regions. Specifically, the target is first subdivided into some sub regions with different target/background differential temperatures according to its thermal structure distribution. The number of equivalent triangle patterns across each sub region is calculated utilizing its effective size, the apparent temperature difference line, and the TOD curve. Further, the total number of equivalent triangle patterns over the integral target is achieved. Combining the TOD criteria, the target acquisition ranges for different discrimination (detection, recognition, and identification) levels are obtained by solving a set of equations. Comparisons with the preliminary experimental results show that this new TA approach can provide reasonable prediction of field performance.