High fidelity simulation of active tracking systems requires the integration of optical, imaging, control and structural models for the payload with representative target and engagement models. The dependent relationship of actively illuminated target return on beam control system pointing commands particularly motivates an integrated simulation. Simulations of tracking and pointing systems have been developed to allow system algorithm refinement and performance prediction for several acquisition, tracking and pointing experiments. The simulation includes high fidelity, two axis control system models, 2D imaging sensor models, and 3D target geometry and reflectivity models. Key issues addressed include the effects of illuminator jitter coupling into the track error estimates, speckle effects, target reflectivity variations and control system interactions on residual pointing errors. The simulation has been implemented with commercial PC-class hardware and signal processing tools, using databased for specific target geometry and reflectivity maps as a function of engagement timelines. The simulation approach makes it particularly easy for control system and sensor system engineers to integrate discipline-specific models into a system simulation.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

High-fidelity integrated active tracking and pointing simulations

The types of computer software required to support computer aided design (CAD), end-to-end computer aided analysis, computer aided manufacture (CAM), and computer aided test (CAT) of electro-optical sensor systems are described. This discussion includes the role each software area plays in the total systems package, and how they interrelate with each other. The problems involved in implementing this software in computer hardware and software are also discussed.

Integration Of Electro-Optical Sensor Computing Systems

A set of electro-optical sensor simulation models is integrated into an interactive, userfriendly software package designed for use in modeling and simulation of electro-optical sensor systems and mosaic focal plane arrays. The software system, Improved Optical Detection System (IODS), includes modules for image and signal generation, image degradation due to optical system and environmental MTF characteristics, detector spectral, temporal and spatial frequency response, signal modulators, and processing electronics transfer function characteristics. The software system is currently utilized for beam diagnostics, surveillance, and remote sensing applications.

Timothy J. Schneeberger

Papers

Modeling And Simulation Of Electro-Optical Sensors With IODS