Relative effects of distortion and noise on target acquisition: The advisability of image restoration

Any image acquired by optical, electro-optical, or electronic means is likely to be degraded by the environment. The resolution of the acquired image depends on the total modulation transfer function (MTF) of the system and the additive noise. Image restoration techniques can improve image resolution significantly; however, as the noise increases, improvements via image processing become more limited because image restoration increases the noise level in the image. We characterize the influence of the MTF and noise level on human target acquisition probability to ascertain the advantages, if any, of image restoration. Conditions when restoration would be advisable are determined. © 1998 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers