This paper presents the adaptation of the Preisach model, originally develo
ped for magnetic hysteresis, to describe mathematically the hysteresis in t
he resistance-temperature characteristics of vanadium-dioxide (VO2) thin fi
lm radiation sensors. The necessary and sufficient conditions for the appli
cability of the Preisach model to a VO2 film sensor are experimentally veri
fied. Experimentally measured characteristics are compared with those given
by the model for minor and major loops.