VIRTEST Thermal Imager MRTD Test Simulation Software by Inframet
| Brand | Inframet |
|---|---|
| Origin | Poland |
| Model | VIRTEST |
| Application | MRTD (Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference) simulation and training for thermal imaging systems |
| Target Users | R&D engineers, calibration labs, military optics trainers, infrared system validation personnel |
Overview
VIRTEST is a specialized software-based simulation platform developed by Inframet (Poland) for the standardized evaluation and training of Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference (MRTD) performance in thermal imaging systems. Unlike physical test benches requiring calibrated blackbody sources and precision target projectors, VIRTEST implements a physics-informed digital emulation of the full MRTD measurement chain—including thermal scene generation, detector response modeling, image processing pipeline, and observer-based resolution threshold determination per ISO 18530:2017 and MIL-STD-3009 Annex D. The software replicates the human visual detection model under controlled thermal contrast conditions, enabling repeatable, traceable, and cost-efficient MRTD assessment without hardware dependency. It is engineered for laboratories, defense training centers, and infrared system integrators requiring consistent methodology across development, qualification, and operator readiness phases.
Key Features
- Full digital implementation of the MRTD test protocol compliant with ISO 18530:2017, including variable bar-target spatial frequencies (0.1–40 cycles/mrad), programmable thermal contrast steps (0.01–50 K), and adjustable integration time and noise floor parameters.
- Observer-modeling engine based on contrast sensitivity functions (CSF) derived from psychophysical studies—supports both trained observer profiles and automated algorithmic detection thresholds.
- Real-time rendering of dynamic thermal scenes with configurable atmospheric transmission, lens modulation transfer function (MTF), and non-uniformity correction (NUC) artifacts to simulate real-world sensor limitations.
- Integrated pass/fail reporting with statistical confidence intervals calculated over multiple trial repetitions, supporting GLP-aligned documentation requirements.
- Modular architecture allowing extension with user-defined target patterns, custom noise spectra (e.g., temporal 1/f, spatial fixed-pattern), and export of raw stimulus data for third-party analysis (e.g., MATLAB, Python).
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
VIRTEST does not require physical samples or hardware interfacing; it operates as a standalone Windows application compatible with standard high-resolution displays (≥1920×1080, ≥60 Hz refresh) and supports dual-monitor configurations for simultaneous stimulus presentation and result visualization. The software is validated against reference MRTD measurements performed on representative cooled and uncooled microbolometer imagers (e.g., FLIR Tau2, Leonardo SCD Lynx). It complies with metrological traceability principles outlined in EURAMET cg-18 and supports audit-ready documentation for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited calibration laboratories. While not a physical measuring instrument itself, VIRTEST enables method validation and staff competency assessment aligned with MIL-HDBK-344A (Environmental Stress Screening) and NATO AEP-97 (Test and Evaluation of Electro-Optical Systems).
Software & Data Management
VIRTEST runs on Windows 10/11 (64-bit) with .NET Framework 4.8 and OpenGL 4.3 support. All test configurations, observer responses, and result logs are stored in encrypted SQLite databases with optional export to CSV, PDF (with embedded metadata), and XML formats conforming to ASTM E2375-22 (Standard Guide for Digital Image Data Exchange). Audit trails record user login, parameter changes, session start/end timestamps, and version identifiers—fully satisfying FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures when deployed in regulated environments. Remote administration is supported via secure RDP sessions; no cloud connectivity or telemetry is enabled by default.
Applications
- Training of infrared system operators and maintenance technicians in standardized MRTD interpretation and troubleshooting.
- Pre-deployment validation of thermal imager performance prior to field testing, reducing reliance on expensive blackbody facilities.
- Comparative analysis of optical design trade-offs (e.g., f-number, pixel pitch, NUC algorithms) through parametric MRTD sensitivity studies.
- Supporting verification activities in DO-160 Section 22 (Electrostatic Discharge) and MIL-STD-810H environmental testing by isolating thermal resolution degradation mechanisms.
- Integration into automated test systems (ATS) via COM/ActiveX interfaces for batch validation of production units.
FAQ
Does VIRTEST replace physical MRTD test equipment?
No—VIRTEST is a simulation and training tool, not a metrological instrument. It complements but does not substitute certified blackbody-based MRTD measurement per ISO 18530.
Can VIRTEST be used for compliance certification?
It supports method validation and internal quality assurance; however, formal regulatory certification requires physical measurement using traceable standards.
Is observer variability modeled in the software?
Yes—VIRTEST includes configurable observer models representing varying levels of training, fatigue, and display luminance adaptation, consistent with ISO/IEC 17025 clause 7.2.2.
What documentation is provided with the software license?
Users receive a Validation Report (including installation, operational, and performance qualification protocols), User Manual (EN/PL), and Certificate of Conformance issued by Inframet.
Are software updates included in the license?
Minor version updates (e.g., 2.x → 2.y) are provided free of charge for 12 months post-purchase; major version upgrades (e.g., 2.x → 3.0) require a maintenance agreement.
