New night vision goggle gain definition

Published

May 12, 2015

Author(s)

Vyacheslav B. Podobedov, George P. Eppeldauer, Thomas C. Larason

Abstract

A new definition is proposed for the calibration of Night Vision Goggle (NVG) gains. This definition is based on the measurement of radiometric input and output quantities of the NVG. While the old definition used the “equivalent fL” which is a non SI traceable luminance unit, the new definition utilizes the radiance quantities that are traceable to the SI units through NIST standards. The new NVG gain matches the previous one as a result of the application of a correction coefficient originating from the conversion of the radiance to luminance units. The new definition was tested at the NIST Night Vision Calibration Facility and the measurement results were compared to the data obtained with a Hoffman Test Set Model ANV-126. Comparing the radiometric quantities of the Hoffman Test Set and those measured by the NIST transfer standard radiometer, indicates that the observed differences up to 15% were due to the calibration and experimental errors of the ANV-126 Test Set. In view of different spectral characteristics of luminophores that can be utilized in the NVG design, the simulation of the NVG output for gain measurement was performed. The NVG output was simulated with a sphere-based source using different LEDs and the measured gain was compared to that obtained with the ANV-126 internal luminance meter. The NVG gain uncertainty analysis was performed for the Type A, B, and C goggles.

Conference Dates

April 20-25, 2015

Conference Location

Baltimore, MD

Conference Title

SPIE DSS 2015

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

night vision goggle(NVG), NVG radiometric quantities, night sky

Citation

Podobedov, V. , Eppeldauer, G. and Larason, T. (2015), New night vision goggle gain definition, SPIE DSS 2015, Baltimore, MD, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=918294 (Accessed October 10, 2024)