Comparative analysis of pixel resolution of standard digital imaging formats to Generation III image intensifiers based on nighttime man-size target recognition

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative analysis of pixel resolution of standard digital imaging formats to the imaging output of a Generation III image intensifier. The comparative analysis will focus on the application of recognition of a man size target at a specified distance in nighttime (starlight conditions) utilizing a 1X night vision system with 40º field of view (FOV). Simple geometric theory will be applied to determine image intensified pixel format, digital imaging formats, and man size target pixel coverage for respective imaging pixel format. Daylight and nighttime experiments are described in detail using the several digital CCD formats (640x480, 1280x1024, and 2615x1471) through a standard Generation III image intensifier (64 lp/mm) in a night vision monocular system (AN/PVS-14). Detailed image analysis is conducted and presented on experimental data. Paper has been cleared by DOD/OSR for Public Release under Ref: 05-S-0347 on December 13, 2004.