Dynamic minimum resolvable temperature testing for staring array imagers

Experimental results of dynamic minimum resolvable temperature (DMRT) testi ng of a staring array thermal imager are reported. Temporal effects of scan ning four bar targets are discussed. The impact of target phase for static minimum resolvable temperature (MRT) tests is presented and shown through m easured results. Details of the DMRT test are offered as guidelines for suc h tests. DMRT test results are shown as a function of scanning speed. Resul ts for good image uniformity are compared to results with poor image unifor mity. The experimental results are used to determine the perceived resoluti on increase as a function of target speed. An optimum scanning speed is ide ntified and discussed. The DMRT results at this optimum scanning speed are compared to the static MRT results. (C) 1999 Society of Photo-Optical instr umentation Engineers. [S0091-3286(99)00305-0].