A Wide Dynamic Range NUC Algorithm for IRCS Systems

Uniformity is a key feature of state-of-the-art infrared focal planed array (IRFPA) and infrared imaging system. Unlike traditional infrared telescope facility, a ground-based infrared radiant characteristics measurement system with an IRFPA not only provides a series of high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) infrared image but also ensures the validity of radiant measurement data. Normally, a long integration time tends to produce a high SNR infrared image for infrared radiant characteristics radiometry system. In view of the variability of and uncertainty in the measured target's energy, the operation of switching the integration time and attenuators usually guarantees the guality of the infrared radiation measurement data obtainted during the infrared radiant characteristics radiometry process. Non-uniformity correction (NUC) coefficients in a given integration time are often applied to a specified integration time. If the integration time is switched, the SNR for the infrared imaging will degenerate rapidly. Considering the effect of the SNR for the infrared image and the infrared radiant characteristics radiometry above, we propose a-wide-dynamic-range NUC algorithm. In addition, this essasy derives and establishes the mathematical modal of the algorithm in detail. Then, we conduct verification experiments by using a ground-based MWIR(Mid-wave Infared) radiant characteristics radiometry system with an Ø400 mm aperture. The experimental results obtained using the proposed algorithm and the traditional algorithm for different integration time are compared. The statistical data shows that the average non-uniformity for the proposed algorithm decreased from 0.77% to 0.21% at 2.5 ms and from 1.33% to 0.26% at 5.5 ms. The testing results demonstrate that the usage of suggested algorithm can improve infrared imaging quality and radiation measurement accuracy.