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Calibrating focal plane arrays using multiple variable radiometric sources

  • US 5,354,987 A
  • Filed: 12/07/1992
  • Issued: 10/11/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/07/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for calibrating the detector elements of a focal plane array comprising:

  • (a) at least one detector element for observing a scene emitting indicia of temperatures in a known temperature range; and

    (b) a reference source having a pair of end portions and a continuous portion with different magnitudes of infrared emission at different locations thereof and continuously less infrared emissive from one of said end portions to the other of said end portions, said reference source successively providing plural magnitudes of reference energy, said magnitudes of reference energy including a magnitude of energy at substantially each of the upper and lower boundaries of said known range and at least one magnitude intermediate said upper and lower boundaries of said known range; and

    (c) means to periodically cause said magnitudes of energy from said reference source to impinge upon said at least one detector element in place of said scene.

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