Mathematical Models for Calculating the Spatial and Energy Resolution of Thermal Imagers

Modern thermal imaging systems are widely used to detect and recognize objects. In developed countries, intensive development of the theory and methods of vehicle design continues, which is connected not only with the improvement of their elemental base, but also with the need to increase the amount of information that is processed on a real-time scale. The quality of the image formed on the display screen is determined by the spatial and energy resolution of the thermal imager. Therefore, the development of mathematical models for calculating the spatial and energy resolution of thermal imagers is an impotent task. The chapter examines the vehicle model and the models of its components: the optical system, the detector, the display and the operator's visual analyzer. Based on this model, methods for calculating the spatial and energy resolution of thermal imagers are proposed. Considered examples of calculating the modulation transfer function, equivalent to the noise of the temperature difference and the minimum resolvable temperature difference.