Abstract: A method and a system for vicarious characterization of a remote sensing sensor are described. The system includes a plurality of reflective mirrors configured and arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto a remotely located radiation sensor. The plurality of mirrors are spaced apart so as to obtain a plurality of distinct spot images on the remotely located radiation sensor. The system further includes a processor configured to analyze the plurality of spot images by fitting the images to obtain a point spread function of the remote sensing sensor.

Abstract: A mattress (22) having a core structure (8) wherein side walls (15) are compressed inward and held in place using a preferably non-woven strip of fabric (21) or similar non-elastic or non-stretchable material that is wrapped around the side walls.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for vicarious polarimetric calibration and performance validation of a remote sensor. The system includes a plurality of reflective mirrors configured and arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto the remote sensor with accurately known polarimetric properties. Each of the reflective mirrors are located so that the target images do not overlap. The remote sensor is configured to receive the radiation reflected from the plurality of reflective mirrors and store the received radiation as image data (e.g., the image of each mirror appears as a point target). The system includes a processor configured to process the received data to provide direct calibration and performance validation for each polarimetric or spectral channel of the remote sensor. In addition, the calibration method removes all atmospheric effects except for transmittance and provides reference targets that have high polarimetric contrast, full spectrum performance and easy to deploy.

Abstract: A mattress (22) having a foam core (8) completely extends to the perimeter edges of the mattress wherein side walls (15) of the foam core are compressed inward and held in place using a preferably non-woven strip of fabric (21) or similar non-elastic or non-stretchable material that is wrapped around the side walls of the foam core. A method of wrapping the foam core allows corners (5) of the foam core to be formed under the inward pressure of the non-woven fabric, thereby creating a strong perimeter for the mattress that prevents outward pressure against the sidewalls created by the downward pressure of an individual lying on the mattress from flattening of the mattress by providing more upward pushback against the individual. An optional layer of micro-coil springs (2a) may be located within the foam core to provide more buoyancy and springiness in the mattress.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for vicarious polarimetric calibration and performance validation of a remote sensor. The system includes a plurality of reflective mirrors configured and arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto the remote sensor with accurately known polarimetric properties. Each of the reflective mirrors are located so that the target images do not overlap. The remote sensor is configured to receive the radiation reflected from the plurality of reflective mirrors and store the received radiation as image data (e.g., the image of each mirror appears as a point target). The system includes a processor configured to process the received data to provide direct calibration and performance validation for each polarimetric or spectral channel of the remote sensor. In addition, the calibration method removes all atmospheric effects except for transmittance and provides reference targets that have high polarimetric contrast, full spectrum performance and easy to deploy.

Abstract: Geometric calibration of an imaging system is performed by recording visible control points in a calibration image whose geometric properties are known and calibration coefficients can be derived utilizing an image processing system for transforming the recorded image into a geometric distortion-free image. Described are methods and systems for vicarious geometric calibration of a remote sensor that include a processor configured to receive image data collected at a remote sensor, the image data including a plurality of image elements each associated with a respective reflective mirror from a plurality of reflective mirrors located at respective know positions, determine, for each of the plurality of reflective mirrors, an image location in the image data and determine one or more figures of merit based on the image locations and the known positions for each of the plurality of reflective mirrors.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for vicarious polarimetric calibration and performance validation of a remote sensor. The system includes a plurality of reflective mirrors configured and arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto the remote sensor with accurately known polarimetric properties. Each of the reflective mirrors are located so that the target images do not overlap. The remote sensor is configured to receive the radiation reflected from the plurality of reflective mirrors and store the received radiation as image data (e.g., the image of each mirror appears as a point target). The system includes a processor configured to process the received data to provide direct calibration and performance validation for each polarimetric or spectral channel of the remote sensor. In addition, the calibration method removes all atmospheric effects except for transmittance and provides reference targets that have high polarimetric contrast, full spectrum performance and easy to deploy.

Abstract: A box spring (9) having a rigid perimeter wall (16) to provide a firm foundation to support an edge of a mattress (1) where individuals normally sit. A layer of coil springs (20) rests on a center portion (2) of the box spring and extends above the rigid perimeter wall to provide active support to a center portion of the mattress where individuals normally lie.

Abstract: A method and a system for spectral calibration of a remote sensing sensor and a synthetic target having a tunable spectral composition are described. The system or synthetic target includes a plurality of reflective mirrors arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto a remotely located radiation sensor. A first mirror in the plurality of mirrors is configured to reflect a first portion of the radiation in a first wavelength toward the remotely located radiation sensor. A second mirror in the plurality of mirrors is configured to reflect a second portion of the radiation in a second wavelength different from the first wavelength toward the remotely located radiation sensor. The first portion of the radiation and the second portion of the radiation can be selected to calibrate the remotely located radiation sensor so as to provide a quantitative spectral relationship between the radiation detected at the remotely located sensor and the radiation reflected by the plurality of mirrors.

Abstract: A method and a system for vicarious characterization of a remote sensing sensor are described. The system includes a plurality of reflective mirrors configured and arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto a remotely located radiation sensor. The plurality of mirrors are spaced apart so as to obtain a plurality of distinct spot images on the remotely located radiation sensor. The system further includes a processor configured to analyze the plurality of spot images by fitting the images to obtain a point spread function of the remote sensing sensor.

Abstract: A method and a system for spectral calibration of a remote sensing sensor and a synthetic target having a tunable spectral composition are described. The system or synthetic target includes a plurality of reflective mirrors arranged to reflect radiation from a source of radiation onto a remotely located radiation sensor. A first mirror in the plurality of mirrors is configured to reflect a first portion of the radiation in a first wavelength toward the remotely located radiation sensor. A second mirror in the plurality of mirrors is configured to reflect a second portion of the radiation in a second wavelength different from the first wavelength toward the remotely located radiation sensor. The first portion of the radiation and the second portion of the radiation can be selected to calibrate the remotely located radiation sensor so as to provide a quantitative spectral relationship between the radiation detected at the remotely located sensor and the radiation reflected by the plurality of mirrors.

Abstract: A specular array for radiometric calibration (SPARC) includes a plurality of spherical mirrors disposed upon a uniform background as at least one array of reflective points, at least two points reflecting a different intensity of directly incident sunlight. Each mirror has a radius of curvature and a diameter, the radius of curvature and the diameter providing a field of regard, the collective mirrors providing a collective minimum calibratability field of regard. Based upon the radius of curvature, the transmittance value of the sun to each mirror and from each mirror to a sensor being calibrated, the intensity of calibration light provided to the input aperture of a sensor to be calibrated within the collective minimum calibratability field of regard may be determined and used as a baseline for sensor calibration. An associated method of combined spatial and radiometric calibration is also provided.

Abstract: A specular array for radiometric calibration (SPARC) includes a plurality of spherical mirrors disposed upon a uniform background as at least one array of reflective points, at least two points reflecting a different intensity of directly incident sunlight. Each mirror has a radius of curvature and a diameter, the radius of curvature and the diameter providing a field of regard, the collective mirrors providing a collective minimum calibratability field of regard. Based upon the radius of curvature, the transmittance value of the sun to each mirror and from each mirror to a sensor being calibrated, the intensity of calibration light provided to the input aperture of a sensor to be calibrated within the collective minimum calibratability field of regard may be determined and used as a baseline for sensor calibration. An associated method of combined spatial and radiometric calibration is also provided.