Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors Training by Tonex

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) systems are imaging systems used for military or law enforcement applications which include both visible and infrared sensors.

Because Electro-Optical/Infrared systems span both visible and infrared wavelengths, EO/IR systems provide total situational awareness both day and night and in low light conditions.

Critical features of EO/IR systems are long-range imaging abilities and image stabilization. EO/IR sensors are usually mounted on aircraft or vehicles, used at sea, or are hand-carried, and must be able to identify targets, track moving targets, and assess threats from a distance and in challenging environmental conditions.

Common applications of EO/IR systems include airborne homeland security, combat, patrol, surveillance, reconnaissance, and search and rescue programs.

EO/IR systems are important because in the air, these passive imaging sensors use the visible and infrared spectral bands to provide spherical situational awareness, long-range precision targeting and protection from infrared-guided missiles – all without emitting detectable energy.

The Department of Defense has been particularly active in developing EO/IR applications and use cases. Military researchers and industry experts are adapting different EO/IR sensors to work together such that they can become greater than the sum of their parts, and help provide greater situational awareness than ever before.

Situational awareness has been the centerpiece of combat throughout the history of warfare. In the 21st Century’s increasingly networked digital, data-heavy battlespace, it has become more crucial than ever to warfighter security and success. EO/IR sensors and their data processors often serve as the eyes of deployed military forces.

The continuing challenge for the military is maintaining a technological edge in EO/IR sensor systems. Adversaries are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics and technologies, and the U.S. military’s efforts to maintain the technological advantage have grown in importance and difficulty.

Next-generation EO/IR applications are also getting a boost from recent advances in the
development of nanostructure-based material technologies.

Nanostructured materials can now be integrated into a variety of technological platforms, offering novel optoelectrical properties that greatly enhance device performance in many practical applications. Use of novel carbon nanotube (CNT) based materials has enabled new approaches for applying nanostructure design methodologies that can offer enhanced performance for low-cost bolometers for IR detection and imaging applications.

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors, Theory of Operations and Performance Evaluation Course by Tonex

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors is a 3-day technical training designed to cover the foundation of Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors, theory of operations, modeling, simulation, performance evaluation, test procedures, and test result interpretations.

EO/IR systems cover a wide range of distinct technologies based on the targets and the mission to be accomplished. The target phenomenology may dominate the choice of spectral band. For example, missile launch detection depends on the very hot missile exhaust, which produces the majority of radiation in the UV. The band choice is also influenced by the vagaries of the atmosphere (transmission and scattering).

Performance of an EO/IR sensor depends on many factors including the optics, detector, and display, the optics modulation transfer function (MTF) and all the factors affecting image quality interact; hence we recommend the use of modeling and detailed system analysis to interpret potential sensor performance.

Target Audience:  

The intended audience for this training are professionals who want to know more about EO/IR: Electro-Optical and Infrared Sensors.

Engineers, scientists, testers, system engineers and managers interested in procedures, methods, applications and techniques associated with electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) system analysis design, testing, evaluation and analysis.

Method of Learning:

The class consists of pedagogical elements that are interwoven to maximize the use of individual, group and class time. These elements include lectures, in-class activities, group assignments, and problem scenarios to role play and find solutions.

Courses Material, Tools and Guides:

• Course Student Guide
• Exercises and Workshops Guide
• Training Resources: Best Practices, Lessons Learned, Guides, Handbooks, Templates, Examples, and Tools
• Cheat Sheets

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

• Learn the underlying principles behind sensors and associated technologies
• Learn basics of electro-optic and infrared (EO/IR) sensors and the theory of operation
• Explain the basis and operation of EO-IR-based sensor systems and their data processors
• Explore the importance of EO/IR technology and system applications
• Review and list the underlying principles of EO-IR systems
• List the major components and technologies of EO-IR sensor systems.
• Explain basics of EO/IR sensor modeling, simulation, testing and evaluation processes
• Derive requirements for EO/IR system models, ISR applications, EO-IR Sensors, weapons, Electronic Warfare (EW) Systems and data fusion
• List major system design and performance parameters and issues
• Explain the verification and validation process for EO/IR sensors, applications and data processors
• Evaluate and select the best EO/IR sensor solutions for any given operational scenario
• List the key impact of environmental processes affecting EO-IR system operation
• Explain technology and operational trends in EO-IR systems
• Appreciate the likely future advances in the EO/IR technologies

Course Outline:

Introduction to EO/IR Sensors

• Basic Concepts
• Techniques, processes and technologies to detect, classify/identify, and localize/geolocate air, sea-surface, and ground targets
• 21st Century’s Networked Digital, Data-heavy Battlespace
• The Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Systems operating in visible and infrared spectral bands
• EO/IR systems  range of distinct technologies
• Targets and mission to be accomplished
• Target and the choice of spectral band
• Missile launch detection operation in ultraviolet (UV) spectral region
• Vagaries of atmospheric transmission and scattering
• Point targets
• Fully imaged targets (images of tanks)
• EO/IR sensors and scanning sensors
• Remote Sensing Theory
• Exploiting multiple modalities associated with electromagnetic waves
• Spectral, polarimetric, temporal,  and quantum signatures
• EO/IR missions with point targets and fully imaged targets
• The resolution of a sensor and the ability to determine fine detail
• Measures of resolution depend on the precise task
• Role of EO/IR Sensors and their Data Processors
• Radiation Physics
• Target & Background Signatures
• Visible Light Systems
• Optical Materials
• Atmospheric Considerations
• Photonic Detectors
• Infrared Systems

EO/IR Sensors Theory of Operation

• Introduction EO/IR Systems and Missions
• Expendables and Decoys
• Electromagnetic Spectrum
• CCD EO-IRCM Techniques
• Black Body Radiation
• Non-Imaging EO/IR Systems (Point Targets)
• Theoretical background necessary to understand remote sensing of ultraviolet, visible, and IR electromagnetic energy
• Applications in airborne military applications
• Target detection, target acquisition, target tracking, reconnaissance, ground mapping, airfield damage assessment, navigation, communications
• Countermeasures, and weapons delivery
• Imaging EO/IR Systems (Extended Targets)
• Tracking
• Latest Trends in EO/IR System Development
• Aliasing
• Issues in Bayer Color Cameras
• Emerging Technologies: LADAR
• Infrared Systems Fundamentals
• Laser Systems Fundamentals
• EO/IR Sensor Test and Evaluation
• EO/IR Sensor Performance Evaluation

EO-IR Sensor System Engineering and High Level Design/Architecture 

• System engineering principles
• EO-IR system overview and components
• System performance metrics
• Environmental effects on EO-IR
• Optical design elements
• Detector technologies
• Data and image analysis
• Test and evaluation principles
• Application survey
• Technology trends

EO/IR Sensor ConOps, Requirements, and System Design Principals

• EO/IR ConOps
• EO/IR Requirements
• Thermal Radiation Contrast
• Radiometry
• Atmospheric Transmission
• Picture Forming Process
• Parallel Scan Systems
• Scanners, Coolers, & Accessories Serial Scan Systems
• Nonuniformity Correction (NUC)
• Video Imagery
• IR Imaging Systems
• IR Optical Design
• Shading & Narcissus Control
• Cold Shields & Cold Filters
• Aberrations & Resolution Control
• Scanning & Dither Techniques
• Detection Mechanism Overview
• Thermal & Quantum Detectors
• Evaluation Tools
• System Performance Analysis
• Minimum Resolvable Temperature (MRT)
• Contrast Threshold Function (CTF)
• FLIRs
• Ambient Light Imagers
• 2D & 3D Imaging Laser Radars
• Image Fusion & Advanced Concepts
• Signature Generation Mechanisms
• Target Characteristics
• Properties of Scenes &Targets (completed)
• Backgrounds & Clutter
• Clutter Metrics
• System Requirements Flowdown
• Recent Developments in Modeling & Analysis
• Overlooked or Incorrect Analytical Assumptions

EO/IR Sensor Evaluation 

• Merit Functions
• PC, PV, nBn, QWIP, & Superlattice Principles
• Uncooled Microbolometer Principles
• Focal Plane Array Fabrication, Operability, & Yield
• Modulation Transfer Functions (MTF) Aperiodic Transfer Functions (ATF)
• Typical System MTFs & Super Resolution
• Cascading MTFs
• Performance Prediction Models
• Measures of EO/IR Performance
• EO/IR Modeling & Simulation
• Optical properties (resolution)
• Sensitivity/noise
• Digital artifacts
• Detector properties
• Processing
• Mission parameters
• Target characteristics
• Platform characteristics
• Automated systems (IRST)
• Algorithms for detecting targets (high probability of detection with limited false alarms)
• Observer-in-the-loop systems, and displays
• ISR systems
• Very high resolution (small instantaneous field of view, IFOV)
• Good ground resolution from high altitudes
• Field of view
• Power calculations
• Signature generation (solid and gaseous)
• Contrast
• Atmospheric effects
• Detector type (thermal, photon, one- and two-dimensional arrays, fibre sensors)
• Cooling requirements
• Detector performance characteristics
• Display options
• Electro-optic and infrared seeker systems
• Countermeasures (including stealth) and counter-countermeasures
• Digital image processing
• Time Lapse Thermal Imagery
• Hyperspectral Discrimination
• Polarization Discrimination
• Adaptive Spatial Filters
• Spectral Discrimination
• Infrared Search & Track (IRST)
• Tracker Performance Issues
• Light Properties & Deflection
• Infrared Windows & Signature Control
• Ray Tracing & Terminology
• Real System Configurations & Examples

EO/IR Sensors Training