Complete end-to-end infrared sensor simulation system permits E/O system analyses and trades

This paper presents a description of a modular simulation architecture which has been implemented on a 386 personal computer running UNIX and X-Windows to model virtually any staring or scanning array system and its associated processing electronics. The modularity of the simulation system permits rapid software-prototyping of a proposed sensor system and provides the designer with a valuable 'what if' tool for evaluating the impact of numerous design alternatives on the performance of the overall system. Such front-end simulations performed during the early stages of a system-level design are effective in reducing costly design iterations and they held to ensure first-run system success. 'AmberSim' provides the capability to quickly construct a model of a scanning or staring sensor system, choose from a library of infrared backgrounds and targets, and produce frames of output displays useful in predicting sensor system performance. Continuing development work will be presented that describes how AmberSim is being ported to today's powerful graphical workstations.