Bullet radiation detection range analysis based on multiple infrared visual range prediction models

On the basis of analysis of the infrared radiation characteristics and the atmospheric absorption and scattering attenuation, bullet's thermal imaging model can be treated as the extended source target and point target in different distance. The minimum detectable temperature difference (MDTD), minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) and noise equivalent power (NEP) models are used for estimating the corresponding bullet radiation detection range. Examples and results of the bullet radiation operating range under three kinds of models are given according to the specific thermal imager's parameters and three kinds of skin temperature. The operating range is the longest when calculated by MDTD model, and 2/3 of the longest operating range can be obtained with MRTD model. The operating range caculated with NEP model is the shortest, just less than 1/2 of the longest operating range. This study shows that the reasonable operating range model should be chosen based on the system performance in actual design.