IFOV (Instantaneous Field of View)

A measure of the spatial resolution of a remote sensing imaging system. Defined as the angle subtended by a single detector element on the axis of the optical system. IFOV has the following attributes:

• Solid angle through which a detector is sensitive to radiation.
• The IFOV and the distance from the target determines the spatial resolution. A low altitude imaging instrument will have a higher spatial resolution than a higher altitude instrument with the same IFOV.