Pratt & Whitney needed to convert from scanner-type imaging radiometers to focal-plane-arrays (FPAs) imagers, but had no manpower to devote to radiometric software development for the FPAs. To ease the conversion from scanners to FPAs, we desired to have the user interfaces for data acquisition and data processing have an appearance similar to, and flexibility similar to, our legacy systems while at the same time providing us with enhanced capability. We needed to have a bug-free product in use within 1 year.

The solution was to procure a commercial off-the-shelf (COTs) software package, RTools™, which provides infrared radiometric capability and a smooth transition from our older scanner systems to our new FPA systems. In particular, RTools™ provides calibrated image pixel values in units of radiance and radiant intensity. After an extensive market survey, we couldn't find a software tool that would provide us the level of radiometric capability as RTools™ provides. Moreover, RTools™ provides additional features and increased flexibility and significantly reduces the number of operator keystrokes. The latter was important because our data operations require many images to be processed; software that enabled bulk processing would reduce operator fatigue and chance for errors.

The RTools™ software suite provided an almost-seamless transition between old technology (scanners) and new technology (FPAs), thus saving on personnel training expenses, and accelerating the implementation of our FPAs by 6 months. RTools™ also allows us to perform in-house radiometric calibrations, saving over $25K/yr. Lastly, the software enables a path both for processing legacy data and operating legacy equipment with PCs rather than obsolete, unsupported controller devices.