Techniques for measuring comparable lab and field modulation transfer functions

Modulation transfer functions (MTFs) describe how a sensor system transfers spatial frequencies of a scene through an imaging system. For infrared systems, lab measurements are performed in a laboratory setting with a collimated source and a tilted edge target. This method is the standard way to measure a sensor’s performance metric. When these sensors are used for practical applications in the field, factors such as focus, atmospheric turbulence, and path radiance limit the performance of the system. These environmentally induced blurs need to be considered when designing sensor systems to ensure the required performance is met. The effects of these factors on the sensor’s performance can be quantified by measuring an MTF while in the field. By matching laboratory and static field MTFs, the effects of other blurs can be isolated, such as platform dynamics, vibration, and atmospheric turbulence, which will affect the performance of the system. To obtain a field MTF that matches one measured in the laboratory, the variable field conditions need to be well controlled. The effects of MTF target nonuniformity, tilt angle, illumination spectra, integration time, dynamic range, and number of pixels on target were explored as possible environmental factors affecting the quality of field MTF measurements.