The ratio of the sampling frequency to the optical bandpass limit of an incoherent diffraction-limited optical system is a fundamental design parameter for digital imaging systems. This ratio is denoted by λFN/p, whereλ is the mean wavelength, FN is the system f/number, and p is the detector sampling pitch. The value of λFN/p for a remote sensing system can have a profound impact on the image quality and the utility of the acquired images. The interaction between λ FN/p and image quality is sensitive to the system design parameters such as modulation transfer function (MTF), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and ground sampled distance (GSD). Image simulations and analysis are presented that illustrate the changes in image quality as a function of λFN/p. System design trades that may influence the determination of the optimal λ FN/p for a remote sensing system are also discussed. # 1999 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. S0091-3286(99)02107-8 Subject terms: image quality; remote sensing; satellites; digital imaging; imaging systems. Paper 980102 received Mar. 16, 1998; revised manuscript received Nov. 20, 1998, and Apr. 6, 1999; accepted for publication Apr. 6, 1999.
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