Abstract: Improved thermal contrast detailing for inflatable decoy targets is provided by providing the decoy with gas permeable skin panels for surface areas which would be at a higher temperature relative to other surface areas on the actual target represented by the decoy. Heated, pressurized air is provided to the decoy and escapes through the gas permeable panels making those panels hotter than adjoining gas impermeable panels. The target decoy may also be rigid. Thermal contrast may also be achieved by using chilled, pressurized air. The invention may also be used for providing any thermal radiance area-source.

Abstract: Automatically adjusting the time when control is returned to the operational set-point, in compensation for changing load conditions, is accomplished by measuring the operation of a heating or cooling system controller in its standby mode, and using this measurement to calculate the advance time required to return the system to its operational temperature. The operational factor to be measured depends on the control system: with a bistable or on-off thermal source, such as a household furnace, measurement of the time required to heat the house the few degrees between the set-back on and off set-points will permit calculation of the time required to reheat the house to its operational temperature.