title: Backscatter effects in active night vision systems.
abstract: A fundamental limitation in using an artificial source of illumination for night viewing is backscatter by the atmosphere. This paper explores that limitation. A mathematical model of an active night vision system is constructed, and formulas for the signal received from a target and the backscatter caused by the intervening atmosphere are derived. Signal-to-noise ratio is defined, and its use as a measure of system performance is discussed. Several hypothetical systems are defined and graphs of the signal-to-noise ratio as a function of range are presented.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Steingold
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Strauch