Valid real-time radiometric simulations of multi-band infrared scenes in Unreal Engine 5

Abstract

Creating valid computer models of photonic infrared cameras is crucial for many simulation applications in both civilian and defence settings. We used the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) standard 1288 following the photon transfer technique to characterise six photonic infrared cameras from Teledyne FLIR. The six cameras spanned the short-wave infrared (SWIR), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), and long-wave infrared (LWIR) wavebands. The performance parameters of these cameras were imported into the Unreal Engine simulation programme using “Infinite Studio” plugins to create six digital clones. Infinite Studio is a joint development programme between Aurizn and the Defence Science and Technology Group. We compared the simulated outputs with the measured results to validate Infinite Studio’s camera model. Our comparison showed sub-percentage–level agreement for the short-wave and mid-wave infrared cameras and showed agreement to the few-per cent level for the long-wave cameras, proving the accuracy of the Infinite Studio suite of radiometric plugins for Unreal Engine.