Radiometry and contrast-to-noise ratio for continuous-wave and laser range-gated active imaging systems
Joshua Follansbee, Derek J. Burrell, Orges Furxhi, C. Kyle Renshaw, Ronald G. Driggers
Abstract
Resolution and sensitivity must be considered in the design of an active imaging system. System sensitivity is characterized by the signal-to-noise or contrast-to-noise ratio and is derived through radiometry. We present a tutorial for the radiometry associated with the contrast-to-noise ratio for active continuous-wave and laser range-gated imaging systems, giving a useful metric for determining reflective-band sensor performance against a target and background. A calculation of the full power and contrast-to-noise ratio terms is shown for an example case, and all relevant radiometric signal terms are covered while describing the assumptions made. Coherent effects on signal-to-noise ratio are excluded from this analysis.