Selecting the optimal integral grade for TDI CCD in remote sensing cameras

In order to solve the problem that integral grade affects the imaging quality, a method of integral grade selection for remote sensing cameras is proposed. Firstly, a model of signal to noise ratio and integral grade is derived and another model of modulation transfer function, satellite attitude parameters, precision of the TDICCD's line transfer frequency and integral grade is as well formulated. Then, the viable integral grade range is obtained under the restrictions of the SNR and MTF targets based on the above two models. Consequently, the gain of the imaging system versus the optimal integral grade is given. Finally, experiments and comparisons are made to validate the proposed method. The results indicate that: the optimal integral grade can be selected based on our method, and the best imaging effect can be accordingly obtained; when the optimal integral grade is nonexistent, a comparative good integral grade can be also acquired; the imaging effects obtained under the proposed method is better than that of the conventional ones.