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We discuss the influence of non-uniformity and non-uniformity correction on point target detection in infrared surveillance system, and propose a non-uniformity correction approach which is based on signal intensity and sensor characteristics. Theoretical models are used to derive the combined effect of background clutter, sensor random noise, target, non-uniformity and correction error on the signal-to-noise-and-clutter ratio. From our analysis, it can be noted that background clutter intensity is successively modulated by sensor non-uniformity and non-uniformity correction, while sensor random noise is modulated by the non-uniformity correction process only. Furthermore, background clutter and sensor random noise are the key factors that affect the performance of a surveillance system, when it is used to detect point targets. The method presented in this paper takes all of the above into account, moreover, it considers the difference between scanning and staring focal plane array. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]