Passive ranging using mid-wavelength infrared atmospheric attenuation

Douglas James Macdonald; Michael R. Hawks; Kevin C. Gross

doi:10.1117/12.850154

3 May 2010 Passive ranging using mid-wavelength infrared atmospheric attenuation

Douglas James Macdonald, Michael R. Hawks, Kevin C. Gross

Proceedings Volume 7660, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXVI; 766041 (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.850154
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2010, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Methods of estimating range to an emissive target based on the depth of an atmospheric absorption band are presented. The present work uses measurements of the CO₂ absorption band centered at 2.0 μm where signal-to-background ratios are maximum for many applications. Observed spectra are compared to model spectra to estimate range. Spectral regions with minimal attenuation are used to estimate source parameters in order to isolate atmospheric transmission. The spectra of 21 high explosive events were used to test this technique. A simple technique treating the fireball as a blackbody consistently underestimated true range by approximately 13%. A more realistic source model using some order-of-magnitude assumptions of fireball composition reduces range error to 3%. The technique produces accurate results without requiring detailed knowledge of source parameters or atmospheric conditions.

Citation Download Citation

Douglas James Macdonald, Michael R. Hawks, and Kevin C. Gross "Passive ranging using mid-wavelength infrared atmospheric attenuation", Proc. SPIE 7660, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXVI, 766041 (3 May 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.850154

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available