Simulation of Optical Environmental Effects

PSR proposes to design, develop and demonstrate the feasibility of a novel hardware-in-the-loop technique for simulating the effects of the atmosphere on the performance of Navy optical systems. The simulator will use computer controlled, non-random optical elements that can readily interface in modular fashion with Navy sensors. It will permit assessing the combined effects of molecules, aerosols and turbulence on system performance. The simulator will be well calibrated, repeatable, and permit variation with the environmental parameters that drive the atmospheric components that induce the degradations, as well as operational parameters such as range and line of sight variations during an engagement. Both spatial amplitude (scintillation and fading) and spatial phase (distortion, wander) effects of turbulence will be simulated with the PSR programmable system.