Fused imagers

Fused imagers (fusion multi-sensor imaging systems) offer increased surveillance capabilities due to fusion of classical thermal image with classical visible image. The fusion systems are typically built by combining optically images from thermal imager and  classical night vision device, or by combining digitally images from thermal imager and digital night vision devices (or electronic VIS-NIR camera).  

Test equipment is needed to check performance parameters of both channels of fused imagers.  However, the most important task is to measure   boresight errors   between two channels needed for optimal fusion of two images. Information about boresight of fused imager can be presented in two main ways:

  1. Set of alignment angles: a)the angle between optical axis of tested fused clip on working in two different modes: visible only and thermal imaging only, b)rotation angle between image from visible channel relative to image from thermal imaging channel,

  2. Two dimensional map of spatial displacement of image from thermal imaging  channel relative to image from the visible imaging  channel (information how much and in which direction the pixel is displaced comparing to the same pixel in another channel).

The spatial displacement map enables more expanded correction of boresight errors  but set of alignment errors is typically  used   to optimize image fusion.  In case of clip on devices additional measurement of  an angle between axis of incoming light beam and axis of output light beam emitted by the clip on (deviation of propagated light beam) is needed.

     Inframet offers a series of systems for boresight and testing fused imagers

  1. FUDIT station for testing and boresight of fused imagers,

  2. FCLIP station  for measurement of alignment errors  of fused imaging clip ons,

  3. FUT targets as a low cost solution for  measurement of 2D image displacement map  between images to be fused.


Fig. 1. FUDIT test system 

Fig.2. FCLIP boresight station
Fig.3. FUT fusion target

  Learn  more :