MRTD estimation for sampled data IR systems

An attempt is made to extend the concept of minimum resolvable temperature difference (MRTD) to sampled imaging systems, where, as in the case of staring arrays, sampling effects can be dramatic. Attention is given to MRTD estimation's preeminent problem, which is that of modulation transfer function (MTF) derivation. The significant loss of MTF due to the sampling process is shown to be impossible to neglect.