Operating distance calculation of ground-based and air-based infrared system based on Lowtran7

In this paper, the infrared system operating distance model of point target based on the contrast is used, starting from the target radiance and atmospheric transmission parameters in the operating distance formula. The radiance of different point targets detected by ground-based and air-based detector are analyzed, and the spectral division method is used for the integration of target and background radiance, the databases of atmospheric spectral radiance and transmittance are established by calling Lowtran7. A new method for solving the operating distance formula is proposed. And the operating distance calculation system is established, which improves the efficiency and accuracy of calculation. The databases of atmospheric spectral radiance and transmittance of five meteorological conditions are generated, and the variations of them with wavelength and range are given. The atmospheric radiance of infinite transmission range can be considered as the atmospheric radiance of 100 km by calculating the integration of wavelength. The targets and detectors parameters are set to be simulated by using the generated database. The operating distance of each zenith angle is calculated, and spatial distribution of operating distance is given in the meteorological condition of mid latitude summer. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.