Benchmark Testing of Naval Threat Countermeasure Simulation (NTCS) Development from Version 2.4c to 3.2.
Scientific Publication
- Report Number:
- DSTO-TR-2315
- Authors:
- Smith, S.E.
- Issue Date:
- 2009-07
- AR Number:
- AR-014-578
- Classification:
- Unclassified
- Report Type:
- Technical Report
- Division:
- Maritime Platforms Division (MPD)
- Release Authority:
- Chief, Maritime Platforms Division
- Task Sponsor:
- CCSG
- Task Number:
- NAC 07/070
- File Number:
- 2009/1053463
- Pages:
- 65
- References:
- 45
- Terms:
- Infrared signatures; Benchmarrking
- URI:
- http://hdl.handle.net/1947/9995
Abstract
The Naval Threat Countermeasure Simulator (NTCS) is a commercial code accepted as the NATO standard for ship Infrared (IR) signature modelling. This code has undergone extensive development, in conjunction with measurement trials, since 1997. A set of benchmark test cases was developed to track the development of NTCS since 1997 paying particular attention to the effect on the computed IR signature of a test target. In this report, the results from these benchmark tests are presented for NTCS versions from 2.4c to 3.2. It will be shown that improvements to the NTCS code from version to version result in significant changes in computed IR signatures. In addition to code changes, other parameters such as choice of environmental data generation software (e.g. LOWTRAN/MODTRAN) and choice of solar scattering flag also influence the computed IR signature. Timing information was also assessed as part of this study and reveals increases in run-time requirements as NTCS has evolved. In light of these results, caution should be exercised when comparing results from different versions of NTCS. It is also recommended that details of the NTCS version and parameters used are specified when presenting NTCS results.
Executive Summary
The Naval Threat Countermeasure Simulator (NTCS) is a commercial code accepted as the NATO standard for ship infrared (IR) signature modelling. This code has undergone extensive development, in conjunction with measurement trials, since 1997. A set of benchmark test cases was developed to track the development of NTCS since 1997 paying particular attention to the effect on the computed IR signature of a test target. In this report, the results from these benchmark tests are presented for NTCS versions from 2.4c to 3.2. In addition to the changes resulting from different version, two other parameters within NTCS were also investigated. The first is the choice of environmental data generation software (e.g. LOWTRAN/MODTRAN) and the second is the choice of the solar scattering flag. These were included since they were changed or added to NTCS within the series of NTCS from 2.4c to 3.2. Improvements to the NTCS code from version to version result in significant changes in computed IR signatures. In addition to code changes, the parameters such as choice of environmental data generation software and choice of solar scattering flag also influence the computed IR signature. Timing information was also assessed during this study and reveals that the run-time requirements for NTCS have increased during the evolution of NTCS. It is recommended that caution is exercised when comparing results from different versions of NTCS. It is also recommended that details of the NTCS version and parameters used are specified when presenting NTCS results. Accurate comparisons of computed IR contrast signature data for different naval platforms can only be made reliably when the same NTCS version is used and the same background, environmental data generation software and solar scattering flag are selected.