Repeatability and Reproducibility of NVG Gain Measurements Using the Hoffman ANV-126 Test Device

摘要

Night vision goggles (NVGs) are being used extensively by our special operations forces for covert night operations. Often the individual operational units purchase the NVGs directly from the manufacturer. Upon delivery to the unit, the NVGs are tested to verify that they meet the gain specifications. The Hoffman Engineering ANV-126 portable test set is used for this purpose. However, the reproducibility of the NVG gain measurements obtained with the ANV-126 was unknown. Therefore, operators were uncertain as to whether to reject NVGs whose gain measurements were slightly below the criterion value. In addition, there was concern among NVG researchers and operators that the intensifier tubes in some NVGs might be greatly mismatched for gain, resulting in the luminance seen by the operator being significantly higher in one eye than the other.