Target detection by the infrared imager depends on the apparent temperature difference between the target and the background, so it is essential to predict apparent temperature variations for this purpose. In this study, thermal analysis program Inclu...
Target detection by the infrared imager depends on the apparent temperature difference between the target and the background, so it is essential to predict apparent temperature variations for this purpose. In this study, thermal analysis program Including conduction, convection and radiation is developed and applied to a representative geometry adequate for examining the apparent temperature characteristics. The results show that the longwave emissivity in association with the background temperature affects the apparent temperature strongly but does not affect the physical temperature. It is revealed that the background temperature plays a role of tuning the apparent temperature. As the longwave emissivity decreases, the apparent temperature decreases when the target is hotter than the background, whereas it increases in the reversed situation. These findings imply that an effective surface treatment, such as painting of a less emissive material, may provide a less detection probability and contribute to preventing the target from being detected at night.