Prediction Of Image Degradation Through A Turbulent Medium

M B Richardson; R L Clark

doi:10.1117/12.940697

24 August 1987 Prediction Of Image Degradation Through A Turbulent Medium

M B Richardson, R L Clark

Proceedings Volume 0788, Flow Visualization and Aero-Optics in Simulated Environments; (1987) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.940697
Event: 1987 Technical Symposium Southeast on Optics, Electro-Optics, and Sensors, 1987, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Aero-optically induced blur and loss of irradiance (Strehl loss) associated with imaging from an airborne vehicle can significantly limit sensor effectiveness. Increased image size caused by blurring will lengthen the time needed to accurately determine position, and a large enough Strehl loss can reduce image intensity below sensor threshold. These aero-optical effects are caused by density fluctuations that result from high-speed boundary- and shear-layer turbulence over the surface of the vehicle. The distribution of these density fluctuations determines the wavefront distortion (via refractive index fluctuations) and, therefore, determines the type and severity of the image degradation. The degree to which the image is degraded, in turn, depends upon the magnitude of the turbulent velocity fluctuations (i.e., the turbulent intensity) and the energy distribution of the turbulent eddies (i.e., the eddy spectrum).

Citation Download Citation

M B Richardson and R L Clark "Prediction Of Image Degradation Through A Turbulent Medium", Proc. SPIE 0788, Flow Visualization and Aero-Optics in Simulated Environments, (24 August 1987); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.940697

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