OPTOELECTRONICS AND ADVANCED MATERIALS – RAPID COMMUNICATIONS Vol. 1, No. 4, April 2007, p.

189 - 193

Determination of the efficiency level of the camouflage

net
C. PLESA*, I. E. SANDUa, L. COSEREANU, D. TURCANU, GH. PLOTUNAb
Military Equipment and Technologies Research Agency, PO Box 51-16, Bucharest, Romania
a
Armaments Department, MoD, Romania
b
Ministry of Administration and Interior, Romania

Camouflage net efficiency represents the ability of the net to diminish the detection range of the target. In the paper is
developed a theoretical method for the evaluation of the camouflage efficiency. The proposed method was applied to three
different camouflage nets and the detection range was estimated by using a thermal camera operating in the wavelength
band 8 - 12 µm.

(Received December 19, 2006; received after revision January 25, 2007; second revision February 16, 2007; accepted March 14, 2007)

Keywords: Camouflage net, Thermal detection, Camouflage efficiency

1. Introduction any information regarding the target position in the tactical

field.
The detection represents the first level of observation The equation for P1 is [8]:
and assumes that something is seen in the visual field of
the optoelectronic device, something that is different from ⎛ 700 ⎞ ⎛⎜ at ⎞⎟
−⎜ ⎟ t
background and shows interest for the observer. Detection ⎝ G ⎠ ⎜⎝ As ⎟⎠
P1 = 1 − e (2)
range represents the measured value from observation
point to target in the visual field of optoelectronic device.
The observation stages are: detection, recognition and where, at is target area, As is area that will be analyzed and
identification [1-10]. is the visual field area in the object plan, t is the
In order to ensure the observation details, the observation time, G is the congestion coefficient having a
optoelectronic device must work with a well defined value from 1 to 10 for majority targets of interest.
resolution. Mathematically, the characterization of these The display object observation time is calculated on
details is given by the ratio H/M, where H represents de the basis of the following assumptions: the approximate
minimum size of the target and, M is the observation time for one looking (integration time) is from 0.1 to 0.3s,
factor that must be within the following values: detection the instantaneous visual field one looking is 5o.
The observation time for a display that is seen in a
(M = 1±0.25), recognition (M = 4±0.8) and identification
visual field 16o ×16o:
( M = 6.4±1.50).

2. Theoretical model 16o 16o

t= × × 0.3 = 3.1s (3)
5 o 5o
2.1. Detection probability and range
The probability P2 for threshold contrast Cp is by
The probability for a target in the optoelectronic definition 50%. The probability P2 could be calculated
visual field to be discovered is given by the equation [1]: using the following equation for the other value of
threshold contrast [8]:
Pdet = P1 ⋅ P2 ⋅ η (1)
⎛ C ⎞
2 (1)
− 4.2 −1 ⎜ ⎟
where P1 is the probability that the observer, looking an 1 1 ⎜C ⎟
area in the tactical field with a potential target, regards P2 ≅ ± 1− e ⎝ p ⎠ (4)
with fovea for a certain time (1/3 s) in the target direction, 2 2
P2 is the probability that the image shown on the screen,
seen with fovea and with no noise, have enough contrast Where the sign minus is used for C < Cp.
and size to be detected, and η is a constant. The η factor from eq. (1) is:
The probability P1 is difficult to be estimated because ⎧1 − e − ( S / Z −1) S / Z ≥1
it is influenced by solid angle of the visual field with the η =⎨
centre in the eye focal plane of the observer, by confused ⎩0 S / Z <1
(5)
element number in the tactical field and by the presence of
190 C. Plesa, I. E. Sandu, L. Cosereanu, D. Turcanu, Gh. Plotuna

where σ is the Boltzman constant, ε’ is the target

where S/Z is signal/noise ratio. emissivity, At, Aob Ad are the areas of the target, objective
Therefore, using eq. (1), (2), (4) and (5), the equation
and detector, D* is the sensor detectivity and ∆ f is the
that gives us the mathematics expression for detection
bandwidth.
probability of a target is:
2.2. The efficiency of the camouflage net.
⎛ ⎛ C ⎞
2
⎞
⎛ ⎛ 700 ⎞ ⎛⎜ at ⎞⎟ ⎞
⎜1 1 − 4.2 ⎜ −1 ⎟ ⎟ The camouflage net efficiency represents the
( )
−⎜ ⎟ t
⎜
Pd = 1 − e ⎝ G ⎠ ⎜⎝ As ⎟⎠ ⎟
⋅ ⎜ ± 1− e ⎝ p ⎠
⎜C ⎟
⎟ ⋅ 1 − e −( S / Z −1)
⎜ ⎟ ⎜2 2 ⎟⎟
camouflage net ability to decrease the target detection
⎝ ⎠ ⎜ range into optoelectronical visual field in comparison with
⎝ ⎠
the detection range of the same non camouflaged target
(6) and in the same atmospheric conditions.
The contrast is given by equation:
⎛ L d,cam
ε cam = ⎜⎜1 −
(
⎞ Ld,cam − Ld
⎟⋅τ
)
ρ − ρb ⎟ (12)
C= t ⎝ Ld ⎠
ρt + ρb
(7)
where τ represents atmospheric transmission, Ld,cam
where ρt is target reflection coefficient and ρb is the represents the camouflaged target detection range and Ld is
background reflection coefficient. the non camouflaged target detection range.
The contrast for thermal devices is:
3. Experimental measurements
Tt − Tb
C= (8) The traditional camouflage nets designed for IR
Tt + Tb spectrum have a high absorption coefficient of solar
energy due to their PVC consistency. The camouflage
where Tt is the mean temperature of the target and Tb is the efficiency is given by the level of heat exchange with the
background average temperature. background through convection and diffusion. The
When a night vision device with image intensifier is characteristics of the camouflage net will block the
used for the evaluation of the efficiency of camouflage net, radiation emitted by the camouflaged target. The pattern of
the resolution that must be attained by the optoelectronical the net (leaf shapes) is differently used according to the
system with the certain probability is given by [5]: climate in which the camouflage is required. In woodlands
a higher convection rate is required but in desert regions is
imposed the smallest possible convection rate. The most
C S fk ρ t TaTo Et tε
Rd [lp / mm] = × 10 −3 important characteristic of the desert regions is that the
S / Z ⋅ FA 2(1 + 4 f nr2 )(1 + C )e ground temperature falls down during night under the air
(9)
temperature.
The measurements regarding of the camouflage nets
Where S/Z is the signal-noise ratio, Ta is the atmospheric efficiency has been carried out in the thermal band
transmission, To is the optical transmission of the (8-12 µm) using thermal cameras models A20V and E45.
objective, fnr is the f number for objective, t is the eye The atmospheric conditions in the measurement point
integration time, ε is the minimum size /maximum target were:
size ratio, Sfk is the photocathode sensibility of the image
intensifier, Et is the target illumination, and FA is the image Atmospheric temperature 26.1 °C
intensifier noise factor Illumination 2000 lx
The limit range, for the detection probability is given Humidity 65.3%
by eq. (10): Wind velocity 0.6 m/s
Target temperature at 0.5 m Cod 1 = 24 °C
H Cod 3 = 28 °C
Ld = Rd f ob (10) Cod 4 = 27 °C
M
where fob is the focal length of the objective. The evaluated camouflage nets are presented in
If you have a thermal device than maximum detection Fig. 1-3.
range will be given by eq. (11): In order to decrease the efficiency of the surveillance,
tracking and sighting devices, the “Code M1” camouflage
ToTaσε ' (Tt − Tb ) 4 At Aob D* net is specially designed for multi spectral purposes,
Ld ,TIR = (11) lowering the thermal signatures of the target. The net is
π Ad ∆f “rip-stop” type, being made from polyamide fibers of 6.6
micrometers and having in its structure at least 10%
 Determination of the efficiency level of the camouflage net 191

metallic fibers. The infrared pictures appear scattered and

detection as e.g. a human being can be successfully
avoided. Against corrosion the net is covered with a
polymer thin layer, which also has hydrophobic and oleo
phobic properties.
The metallic fiber production started with a lower
emissivity imposed factor for IR spectrum.
Spectral fields of interest are visible spectrum
(VIS – 0.38 µm to 0.70 µm), near infrared spectrum
(NIR - 0.70 µm to 1.40 µm) and thermal infrared spectrum
(TIR - 3-5 µm and 8-12 µm). Fig. 2. Camouflage net in the visible spectrum designed for
In addition, due to the hydrophobic properties of the soldiers (Cod M3).
net, it gives protection against humidity, rain and against
the alternating conditions of the thermal interaction with
the background.

Fig. 3. Camouflage net in the visible spectrum designed for

snipers (Cod M4).

Side 1 The “Cod M3” and “Cod M4” camouflage nets are
only designed for visible spectrum, the first being made
from “rip-stop” polyamide painted with different colors
and the second is made from cotton fiber which doesn’t
have any special coating.
The net efficiency has been calculated using eq. (12)
by solving successively the probability of detection for
both camouflaged and non-camouflaged target in the same
atmospheric condition. The distance for the probability of
detection is less that 50% and represents the upper limit of
Side 2 the target detection range, camouflaged and non-
camouflaged.
Fig. 1. Camouflage net in the thermal region specially
designed for soldiers (Cod M1).

4. Results and discussion

The camouflage net efficiency at the distance from target 5 m, is evidenced on Fig. 4 and 6.

(a) (b) (c)

Fig. 4. Thermal images of the same camouflaged human target with "cod M1" (a), "cod M3" (b) and "cod M4" (c).

The Fig. 5 and 7 shows the temperature variation also, this target has the lowest thermal contrast. The target
along line Li1 and we can say that the lowest average camouflaged with "Cod M1" has the lowest probability of
temperature of the camouflaged target is for "Cod M1" and detection at 5 m from target.
192 C. Plesa, I. E. Sandu, L. Cosereanu, D. Turcanu, Gh. Plotuna

(a) (b) (c)

Fig. 5. Temperature variation along line Li1 (see Fig. 4) for camouflaged human target with "cod M1" (a), "cod M3" (b) and
"cod M4" (c).

Fig. 6. Thermal image with radiometric Fig. 7. Temperature variation along

camera model E45. Li1 (see Fig. 6).

Fig. 8. Thermal image with radiometric Fig. 9. Temperature variation along

camera model E45 (from different range). Li1 (see Fig. 8).

The analysis of the Fig. 8 and 9, points out to the This equation was developed using both experimental
better diminishing of the detection range due to weaker measurements and numerical simulations and it is based
contact between background and target. The distance from on the detection range determination of a camouflaged and
target is 150 m. 150 m represents the upper range for the non-camouflaged targets with a probability better than
left camouflaged human target to be seen with a 50 %. The quality of the determination of the efficiency
probability higher than 50%. The temperature difference could be negatively influenced by the atmospheric
from target to background is minimal for the material conditions represented in the eq. (12) only through
"Cod M1". atmospheric transmission, τ.

5. Conclusions
Acknowledgement
The determination of the efficiency level of
camouflage net with the help of the equation (12) is useful The research for this work was supported by
to show the detection range, and the camouflage quality. Romanian Ministry of Education and Science under the
 Determination of the efficiency level of the camouflage net 193

"SECURITY" program, contract no. 27/2005, code S090 [6] C. Pleşa, The use of infrared radiation for thermal
and part by Romanian Ministry of Defence. signatures determination of ground targets",
Communication to the 5th international Balkan
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Corresponding author: [email protected]