EO systems test and qualificationIndependent measurement of the range and the distortion
Accurate measurement procedures
IRCOL test benches, blackbodies and targets are always available into HGH laboratories, ready to use testing tools with the highest performances and quality on the market. Combined with Infratest software and the experience of our customer support engineers, they enable the test of the most demanding parameters of Thermal Imagers and other types of cameras.
Thermal contrast curve through MRTD
In accordance with the STANAG 4349 recommendations, HGH engineers measure the MRTD (Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference) of your Thermal Imager over at least 3 spatial frequency points and draw the thermal contrast curve.
HGH independence from any thermal imager manufacturer guaranties bias-free results on this well-known but highly subjective method.
Thermal contrast curve through TOD
The TOD method (Triangle Orientation Discrimination) enables the measurement of the contrast curve versus spatial frequency. HGH developed a user-friendly procedure to apply this totally objective method to the measurement of the Thermal contrast curve of Thermal Imagers, as an alternative method to the MRTD curve. HGH procedure is fully compliant with the recommendations of the paper: « Piet Bijl et J. Mathieu Valeton, Guidelines for accurate TOD measurement, SPIE, 1999 »
Assisted by one of HGH’s most experienced engineers, your team observes the images of projected triangles through your Thermal Imager and estimate their orientation (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT). HGH software automatically issues the thermal contrast curve based on the 75% criteria of success.
Distortion measurement on visible or thermal cameras
In addition to the IRCOL collimator, the source and Infratest Camera Expert Pack Distortion function, the camera to be tested (visible or infrared) is assembled on a set of highly accurate motorized stages moving in azimuth and elevation.
The distortion test procedure is then fully automatized by comparison of the actual projected position of a pinhole target on the camera with the theoretical position of this image. A complete mapping of the Field of View of the camera is made to calculate the distortion map.
For more information about this exclusive and accurate method, read the paper
Why leading manufacturers choose HGH for testing their cameras?
High-end testing tools
The above tests are made using HGH diffraction limited IRCOL collimators equipped with accurate targets. The DCN1000 H4 blackbody, used as the thermal source for thermal contrast curves, is radiometrically calibrated over MWIR and LWIR.
HGH long experience in testing procedures
The measurements are performed and organized by HGH Customer Support engineers. They all have a long experience in Electro-Optical systems design and testing procedures.
HGH is independent from any EO system manufacturer
The results of our measurements are guaranteed bias-free even for subjective method such as MRTD. HGH is the best choice if your client requires independent measurement of the range of your Thermal Imager.
Need to test your cameras by an independent laboratory?
Have your EO systems measured and tested by HGH Laboratory
References
References