Introduction to Optical and Infrared Sensor Systems (SC789B)

Course Details

This course provides a broad introduction to optical (near UV-visible) and
infrared sensor systems, with an emphasis on systems used in defense and security. Topics include both passive imagers and active laser radars (lidar/ladar). We begin with a discussion of radiometry and radiometric calculations to determine how much optical power is captured by a sensor system. We survey atmospheric propagation and phenomenology (absorption, emission, scattering, and turbulence) and explore how these issues affect sensor systems. Finally, we perform signal calculations that consider the source, the atmosphere, and the optical system and detector, to arrive at a signal-to-noise ratio for typical passive and active sensor systems. These principles of optical radiometry, atmospheric propagation, and optical detection are combined in examples of real sensors studied at the block-diagram level. Sensor system examples include passive infrared imagers, polarization imagers, and hyperspectral imaging spectrometers, and active laser radars (lidars or ladars) for sensing distributed or hard targets. The course organization is approximately one third on the radiometric analysis of sensor systems, one third on atmospheric phenomenology and detector parameters, and one third on example calculations and examination of sensor systems at the block-diagram level.

Learning Outcomes

This course will enable you to:

• understand and use radiometry for describing and calculating the flow of optical energy in an optical or infrared sensor system
• determine the radiometric throughput of sensor systems
• describe atmospheric phenomenology relevant to propagation of optical and infrared radiation
• explain how the atmosphere affects the performance of sensor systems
• use detector parameters with radiometric calculations to predict the signal received by passive and active sensors
• calculate signal-to-noise ratio for typical sensor systems
• understand real-world sensor systems at the block-diagram level
• explain the difference between and important concepts of passive reflection-based and emission-based imaging
• understand the basic operating principles of passive imagers and active laser radar (lidar/ladar) systems for distributed and solid target sensing

Intended Audience

Scientists, engineers, technicians, or managers who find themselves working on (or curious about) optical (uv-vis) and infrared sensor systems without formal training in this area. Undergraduate training in engineering or science is assumed.

Instructor

Joseph A. Shaw has been developing optical remote sensing systems and using them in environmental and military sensing for two decades, first at NOAA and currently as professor of electrical engineering and physics at Montana State University. Recognition for his work in this field includes NOAA research awards, a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, and the World Meteorological Organization's Vaisala Prize. He earned a Ph.D. in Optical Sciences at the University of Arizona. Dr. Shaw is a Fellow of both the OSA and SPIE.