<title>Standard night vision thermal modeling parameters</title>

Abstract

The Night Vision ACQUIRE model predicts range performance when provided with parameters describing the atmosphere, a 2-D MRT curve which describes the sensor and three additional parameters. Two of the additional parameters (characteristic dimension and target- background contrast) describe the target. The third additional parameter, a cycle criterion (N₅₀) relates to task difficulty. Characteristic dimension and target-background contrast are measured directly in the field. The third parameter N₅₀ is empirically determined from the measured range performance associated with the task. The purpose of this communication is to define terms, protocols and where possible to give recommended values for parameters used with the ACQUIRE model. The methodology and recommended parameter values given here represent Night Vision's best estimates based on years of laboratory and field experience.