Method of Calculating the Radiance of Point-Source Target in Infrared Image

Abstract

In traditional method of obtaining the radiance of target in infrared image, a target is often considered as an extended source. In that way, we only need the atmosphere transmittance, path radiance, and target apparent temperature to calculate the blackbody equivalent temperature of the target. However, in real infrared system imaging process, the target may be so far from the sensor that the target should be taken as a point source. In that case, the traditional data analysis method is not applicable anymore. A new method of calculating the radiance of small target is presented, which is based on the infrared system imaging theory. And the parameter needed to be input in this method is easily obtained. This method is tested by three different imaging systems. They are Thermal Vision AGEMA 900, AGEMA 1000, and Airborne Surveillance Pod Imaging System. The method is programmed into software, IRIDAS (Infrared Radiation Image Data Analysis Software) version 1.0. This software includes infrared imaging system calibration, atmosphere modification calculation, target and background selection and radiance calculation. This method can be used in infrared data anaylsis, infrared system evaluation and testing, target and background characteristics obtaining.