Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) is tasked with visible-to-LWIR imaging sensor calibration and
characterization, as well as hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing with high-fidelity complex scene projection to validate
sensor mission performance. They are thus involved in the development of technologies and methodologies that are
used in space simulation chambers for such testing. These activities support a variety of program needs such as space
situational awareness (SSA). This paper provides an overview of pertinent technologies being investigated and
implemented at AEDC.
The Space Chambers at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) are continually exploring new
technologies to improve their characterization, calibration, and mission simulation testing capabilities for imaging
sensors. Part of this task is to develop and integrate methods to simulate high-temperature sources (on the order of 3,000
K) while maintaining the integrity of the low radiometric background within the cryovacuum chambers. The High
Temperature Source Simulator project at AEDC is exploring the use of laser diodes, LEDs, and resistive sources of
varying IR wavelengths to simulate these high-temperature sources within AEDC's Space Chambers. A brief summary
of previous work will be presented with a more detailed discussion of the recent cryospectral shift of the tested sources.
We found that the IR LEDs spectrally shift up to about 20% from their ambient center wavelength while the resistive
sources do not shift at all (as expected). Several different resistive sources as well as LEDs of varying wavelengths have
been procured and will continue to be tested.
Performance testing of space imaging systems is crucial to meeting the requirements of such systems for all types of
space applications. For over 30 years, the space chambers at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC)
have performed space sensor characterization, calibration, and mission simulation testing on space-based, interceptor,
and airborne sensors. The use of infrared scene projection systems in the cryovacuum ground-test environment is
essential to this testing and is a challenging task. Experiences from the space test facilities at AEDC offer lessons
learned from its experience in projection technologies, optical system design, optical material characteristics and
measurement (including cryodeposition), and positioning systems involved in performing ground testing of a sensor
system under flight conditions.
Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) is involved in the development of technologies that enable hardwarein-
the-loop (HWIL) testing with high-fidelity complex scene projection to validate sensor mission performance.
Radiometric calibration with National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) radiometers has improved radiometric
and temporal fidelity testing in this cold background environment. This paper provides an overview of pertinent
technologies being investigated and implemented at AEDC to support a variety of program needs such as HWIIL testing
and space situational awareness (SSA).
KEYWORDS: Calibration, Data modeling, Sensors, Data acquisition, Mirrors, Projection systems, Light emitting diodes, Systems modeling, Black bodies, Cryogenics
The characterization, calibration, and mission simulation testing of imaging sensors require continual involvement in the
development and evaluation of radiometric projection technologies. Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC)
uses these technologies to perform hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing with high-fidelity complex scene projection
technologies that involve sophisticated radiometric source calibration systems to validate sensor mission performance.
Testing with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Ballistic Missile Defense Organization
(BMDO) transfer radiometer (BXR) and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) transfer radiometer (MDXR) offers improved
radiometric and temporal fidelity in this cold-background environment. The development of hardware and test
methodologies to accommodate wide field of view (WFOV), polarimetric, and multi/hyperspectral imaging systems is
being pursued to support a variety of program needs such as space situational awareness (SSA). Test techniques for the
acquisition of data needed for scene generation models (solar/lunar exclusion, radiation effects, etc.) are also needed and
are being sought. The extension of HWIL testing to the 7V Chamber requires the upgrade of the current satellite
emulation scene generation system. This paper provides an overview of pertinent technologies being investigated and
implemented at AEDC.
KEYWORDS: Data modeling, Sensors, Calibration, Light emitting diodes, Black bodies, Optical components, Data conversion, Mirrors, Projection systems, Data acquisition
The characterization, calibration, and mission simulation testing of space-based, interceptor, and air-borne sensors
require a continual involvement in the development and evaluation of radiometric projection technologies. Activities at
Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) include Hardware in the Loop (HWIL) testing with high-fidelity
complex scene-projection technologies as well as improvements in the radiometric source-calibration systems. These
technologies are integrated into a low cryo-vacuum (~20 K) environment. The latest scene simulation and HWIL
projection technologies are being investigated that can produce desired target temperatures and target-to-sensor ranges
such that sensor mission performance can be evaluated. These technologies include multiple-band source subsystems
and special spectral-tailoring methods, as well as comprehensive analysis and optical properties measurements of the
components involved. Emphasis areas include the development of methodologies to test wide field of view (WFOV),
polarimetric, and multi/hyperspectral radiometric imaging systems.
The characterization, calibration, and mission simulation testing of space-based, interceptor, and airborne sensors require a continual involvement in the development and evaluation of radiometric projection technologies. Recent efforts at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) include hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) testing with high-fidelity, complex scene projection technologies integrated into a low-cryovacuum (~20 K) environment as well as improvements in the radiometric source calibration systems. The latest scene simulation and projection technologies are being investigated, technologies that can produce desired target temperatures and target-to-sensor ranges that will make it possible to evaluate sensor mission performance. These technologies include multiple-band source subsystems and special spectral tailoring methods, as well as comprehensive analysis and optical properties measurements of the components involved. This paper discusses the implementation of such techniques at AEDC.
The space simulation chambers at the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) have performed space sensor
characterization, calibration, and mission simulation testing on space-based, interceptor, and air-borne sensors for more
than three decades. A continual effort to implement the latest scene simulation and projection technologies into these
ground-based space sensor test chambers is necessary to properly manage the development of space defense systems.
This requires the integration of high-fidelity, complex, dynamic scene projection systems that can provide the simulation
of the desired target temperatures and ranges. The technologies to accomplish this include multiple-band source
subsystems and special spectral tailoring methods, as well as comprehensive analysis and optical properties
measurements of the components involved. Implementation of such techniques in the AEDC space sensor test facilities
is discussed in this paper.
The ground testing of a sensor system under flight conditions is fundamental to characterizing its performance. It should be accomplished early and often in order to manage operational uncertainty and reduce system life-cycle cost. As a DoD Major Range Test Facility Base (MRTFB), the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) provides a comprehensive capability that strives to ensure system performance evaluations that are not limited by test infrastructure. For over 30 years, the space chambers at AEDC have performed space-sensor characterization, calibration, and mission
simulation testing on space-based, interceptor, and airborne sensors. In partnership with Missile Defense Agency (MDA), capability upgrades are continuously pursued to keep pace with evolving sensor technologies. A critical aspect of these chambers is the quality of the mirror coatings used to project simulated target scenes to the unit under test in low-background cryogenic conditions. This paper discusses the recent effort at AEDC to refurbish and/or replace the
mirror collimating systems in their 7V and 10V Aerospace Chambers and the coating choices that have been considered.
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