RESTORATION OF THERMAL IMAGES DISTORTED BY THE ATMOSPHERE, USING PREDICTED ATMOSPHERIC MODULATION TRANSFER-FUNCTION

Restoration of thermal images distorted by the atmosphere, detected wi th a focal plane array (FPA) Pt-Si thermal imaging system, is presente d. The restoration method is based upon atmospheric modulation transfe r function (MTF) analysis. Using turbulence and aerosol MTF prediction models, atmospheric distortions and image degradation are modeled. Re storation results indicate significant improvement in image quality. H owever, it is critical to include the unique shape of aerosol MTF when modeling atmospheric MTF in order to obtain good restoration.