Automated observation for cloud sky is an inevitable trend in the development of meteorological services. The existing cloud automated observing instruments are expensive and with poor measurement accuracy,which is difficult to meet the requirements of meteorological business development. The combination of visible light imaging and high-infrared imaging cloud measurement based on binocular imaging principle can solve the problems of cloud height measurements both in daytime and nighttime. This paper analyzes the operating distance of the system,gives the relationship between the operating distance,target radiation temperature difference and atmospheric influence factors,and makes a comparative analysis with the existing cloud height measurement equipment,and realizes the measurement of cloud base height through experiments.