Evaluation of Photographic Sensor Overall Performance.

Abstract : An object of the invention is to provide devices and procedures to produce a multidimensional evaluation of imaging sensor systems. According to the invention, a series of unidimensional measures (geometric, spatial frequency, sharpness, limiting resolution, and operator performance) are obtained and a global describing function is developed, and using multiple regression techniques, to represent system performance. The embodiment described is based on analyzing the capabilities of a photographic reconnaissance camera but can be generalized to apply to any imaging sensor. The invention provides a unique combination of image quality assessment equipment and techniques, together with a means of combining their individual estimates into a single, general describing function. The resultant representation is of immediate utility to system operators, system developers, image interpreters, and image analysts. (Author)