Thermal-image generation by line-scanning technique: a new computer model

A new computer model for the generation of thermal images of a flat terrain by the line-scanning technique from a moving platform is presented. The model is based on a bottom-up simulation process and the pixel-by-pixel generation of infrared thermal images. The terrain is modeled by a periodic repetition of an arbitrary two-dimensional temperature distribution over a flat area. The double discrete Fourier series of the terrain temperature, including correlation length and the transfer function of the scanning optics, is used. Several computer-generated thermal images are produced to illustrate the model. The geometrical deformations, the space filtration, and the gray-level variation with the scanning angle on generated images are in agreement with theoretical predictions.