Calibration and Initialization of the NPS Modified Infrared Search and Target Designation (IRSTD) System

The AN/SAR-8 IRSTD Advanced Development Model (ADM) at NPS was modified and put in partial operation. This work presents the results obtained in calibration of the relative responsivity of the individual detector sensor elements with their associated electronic system. The calibration was accomplished by projecting a parallel beam from a parabolic mirror 124.7 + or - 1.0 cm from the telescopic input aperture using a collimated blackbody source system. This source was at a temperature of 500 + or - 3.0 C. This procedure revealed that the average amplitude response was 1.709 + or - 0.102 colts for the lead array and 3.184 + or - 0.158 volts for the lag array. Seven detectors on the lead array and eight detectors on the lag array were found to be non-functional with another three detectors on the lag array performing at levels below standard. This modified system was found to be operating at a level of performance comparable to the original ADM configuration.