Proceedings Article | 24 September 2009
KEYWORDS: Infrared radiation, Ultraviolet radiation, Imaging systems, Infrared imaging, Visible radiation, Lamps, Mirrors, Reflectivity, Modulation transfer functions, Black bodies
The objective of any imaging system is to optimize the amount of pertinent information collected from a scene. Whether
it is used for artistic reproduction, scientific research, or camouflage detection, a camera has the same ultimate
requirement. In the era of broadband, multi-spectral, hyperspectral, and fused sensor systems, both spectral and spatial
data continue to play battling roles in determining which is dominant in how well an imaging system meets its definitive
objective. Typically sensor testing requires hardware and software exclusively designed for the spectral region of
interest. Thus an imaging system with ultraviolet through infrared imaging capabilities could require three or more
separate test benches for sensor characterization. Obviously this not only increases the complexity, and subsequently the
cost of testing, but also more importantly tends to produce discontinuous results. This paper will outline the hardware
and software developed by the authors that employ identical test methods and shared optics to complete infrared, visible,
and ultraviolet sensor performance analysis. Challenges encompassing multiple emitting source switching, splitting, and
combining will be addressed along with new single fused type source designs. Decisions related to specifying optics and
targets of sufficient quality and construction to provide coverage of the full spectral region will be discussed along with
sample performance specifications and data. Test methodology controlled by a single automated software suite will be
summarized including modulation transfer function, signal to noise ratio, uniformity, focus, distortion, intrascene
dynamic range, and sensitivity. Selected examples of results obtained by this test set will be presented.
