In-flight MTF characterization for high-resolution aerial reconnaissance

Michael James DeWeert; Kevin T. C. Jim; Michael Hearne

doi:10.1117/12.488558

11 September 2003 In-flight MTF characterization for high-resolution aerial reconnaissance

Michael James DeWeert, Kevin T. C. Jim, Michael Hearne

Proceedings Volume 5089, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets VIII; (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.488558
Event: AeroSense 2003, 2003, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

The demands of the unmanned airborne multispectral surf-zone mine counter-measures (MCM) mission require high spatial resolution. Weight, volume and power constraints preclude stabilized operation of the cameras for this application. Further, the system is to be flown on a rotary-winged platform, with its attendant vibration characteristics. Thus, the MTF needs to be measured in flight to insure it meets the resolution requirements. We apply the slanted-edge MTF method to the in-flight characterization of airborne high-resolution cameras, analyzing images of orthogonal slanted edges to estimate the motion and vibration contributions to the MTF, and show that the system meets its requirements. We also apply a methodology for scaling to other altitudes and speeds to show that the system will have excellent imaging performance throughout its operational envelope. For our application, the slanted-edge method is more accurate and reproducible than the alternative of placing MTF bar targets under the aircraft flight path. Further, the slanted-edge targets are much easier to deploy and recover, and ease the navigation tolerances.

Citation Download Citation

Michael James DeWeert, Kevin T. C. Jim, and Michael Hearne "In-flight MTF characterization for high-resolution aerial reconnaissance", Proc. SPIE 5089, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets VIII, (11 September 2003); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.488558

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