IDENTIFICATION RANGE PERFORMANCE IN THERMAL CAMERA USING IMAGE PROCESSING FOR REMOTE SENSING ACTIVITIES

During remote sensing activities the knowledge of thermal cameras capabilities is fundamental to guarantee image fidelity, quality and, consequently, contributes to the mission planning. Another important parameter that must be taken in count is the target identification performance, in order to improve the mission results. The present study estimated the minimum resolvable temperature differential (MRTD) from the system’s modulation transfer function (MTF) of a commercial thermal camera, using specific images processing software. Doing that, it was possible to propose a minimum identification distance of a desired target, in accordance with its temperature and spatial dimension. By the MTF measurements was possible observe a 1 m of focal distance and, considering a standard target 2.3 by 2.3 m at 2° C of temperature difference, its identification range was at 31 m.