Electro-optical tracking considerations II

This paper is a tutorial on factors affecting the detectability and tracking of targets using visible and IR sensor systems. Topics to be addressed are the effects associated with atmospheric attenuation, sensor system parameters, and target characteristics including reflectivity, size and range. Also considered are servo and optical system characteristics and their effects on tracking system performance. This paper complements a paper presented at Acquisition, Tracking and Pointing III, which addressed the performance and design parameters for electro-optical tracking systems.