Backscatter Effects in Active Night Vision Systems

H. Steingold; R. E. Strauch

doi:10.1364/AO.8.000147

Applied Optics
Vol. 8,
Issue 1,
pp. 147-154
(1969)
•https://doi.org/10.1364/AO.8.000147

Backscatter Effects in Active Night Vision Systems

H. Steingold and R. E. Strauch

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H. Steingold and R. E. Strauch, "Backscatter Effects in Active Night Vision Systems," Appl. Opt. 8, 147-154 (1969)

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Abstract

A fundamental limitation in using an artificial source of illumination for night viewing is backscatter by the atmosphere. This paper explores that limitation. A mathematical model of an active night vision system is constructed, and formulas for the signal received from a target and the backscatter caused by the intervening atmosphere are derived. Signal-to-noise ratio is defined, and its use as a measure of system performance is discussed. Several hypothetical systems are defined and graphs of the signal-to-noise ratio as a function of range are presented.

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System	Receiver half angular field, degrees	Gating	λ = 400		λ = 600		λ = 800

			D = 1 V = 5	D = 10 V = 50	D = 1 V = 5	D = 10 V = 50	D = 1 V = 5	D = 10 V = 50
General purpose	10	None	600–750	1450–2050	600–800	1600–2350	500–800	1600–2400
		Perfect	1600–2100	2950–4700	1750–2450	2900–4900	1700–2450	2500–4500
Intermediate	3.5	None	750–950	2150–2950	850–1100	2450–3550	800–1200	2600–3800
		Perfect	1950–2500	4250–5000⁺	2200–3000	4350–5000⁺	2200–3200	4000–5000⁺
Narrow angle	1	None	1100–1350	3400–4550	1250–1600	4150–5000⁺	1250–1800	4300–5000⁺
		Perfect	2600–3300	5000⁺	3000–3900	5000⁺	3100–4400	5000⁺

Parameter	Value	Reason for consideration
Source power	100 W	Considered attainable in an airborne system.
Target reflectivity	0.2	Typical of military targets, e.g., tanks, personnel, etc., reflectivity usually higher in visible and ir than in uv.
Background reflectivity	0.1	Typical of much outdoor terrain.
Observation interval	0.2 see	Typical of light-adapted human eye viewing a bright display.
Target size	1 m²	Resolution required to detect trucks and other military targets.

Type of system	Receiver half-angle (deg)	Source half-angle (deg)	Receiver diameter (cm)	Source diameter (cm)
General purpose	10.0	12.5	12.7	55.9
Intermediate	3.5	5.0	12.7	55.9
Narrow angle	1	1.5	12.7	30.5

System	Receiver half angular field, degrees	Gating	λ = 400		λ = 600		λ = 800

			D = 1 V = 5	D = 10 V = 50	D = 1 V = 5	D = 10 V = 50	D = 1 V = 5	D = 10 V = 50
General purpose	10	None	600–750	1450–2050	600–800	1600–2350	500–800	1600–2400
		Perfect	1600–2100	2950–4700	1750–2450	2900–4900	1700–2450	2500–4500
Intermediate	3.5	None	750–950	2150–2950	850–1100	2450–3550	800–1200	2600–3800
		Perfect	1950–2500	4250–5000⁺	2200–3000	4350–5000⁺	2200–3200	4000–5000⁺
Narrow angle	1	None	1100–1350	3400–4550	1250–1600	4150–5000⁺	1250–1800	4300–5000⁺
		Perfect	2600–3300	5000⁺	3000–3900	5000⁺	3100–4400	5000⁺

Parameter	Value	Reason for consideration
Source power	100 W	Considered attainable in an airborne system.
Target reflectivity	0.2	Typical of military targets, e.g., tanks, personnel, etc., reflectivity usually higher in visible and ir than in uv.
Background reflectivity	0.1	Typical of much outdoor terrain.
Observation interval	0.2 see	Typical of light-adapted human eye viewing a bright display.
Target size	1 m²	Resolution required to detect trucks and other military targets.

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Applied Optics