Real-time simulation of airborne FLIR sensor

The work presented in this paper focuses on real-time simulation of the airborne forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor typically configured by modern helicopter. Based on infrared radiation theoretic model, the infrared transmittance model of “target-background-atmosphere-imaging system” is established. Furthermore, using modern computer graphics hardware, the detection signal is output in real time through the interacting of the virtual environment, which is the working process of sensors in actual infrared system. Simulation results shows that the platform can dynamically and efficiently generate realistic infrared images of helicopter varying with different simulation parameters. The dynamic simulation of large scale infrared scene can enhance the situational awareness for pilot.