Infrared Signatures

Abstract

The essential information an infrared sensor provides is the infrared (IR) signature of an object. In the past decade the importance of IR sensor systems for military as well as civil safety applications has strongly increased, mainly due to the availability of powerful software tools for the simulation of object and background signatures, the capabilities of state-of-the-art hardware to realise real-time systems, and the decrease in total system costs. Of special importance are infrared signature models enabling, on one hand, the development and realisation of optimised system concepts, on the other hand the consideration of additional physical parameters such as polarisation signatures. The paper addresses especially the capabilities of infrared signature models (including polarisation) and their application to (i) space-based detection systems for ballistic missiles, (ii) camouflage and signature reduction studies, (iii) identification of landmines, (iv) enhanced vision systems for pilot assistance, and (v) infrared driver support systems. Examples for experimental systems and data are presented.