KEYWORDS: Target detection, Sensors, Signal to noise ratio, Monte Carlo methods, Detection and tracking algorithms, Image filtering, Hyperspectral target detection, Optical filters, Short wave infrared radiation, Hyperspectral imaging
There is a widespread perception that hyperspectral imagery may be useful for military broad area tactical surveillance applications in the not-too-distant future, and the government is planning to demonstrate this technology from space within the next three years. In order to support sensor design for such a demonstration, we have developed an algorithm performance simulation that applies linear unmixing techniques to the problem of quasi-real-time ground clutter suppression in hyperspectral images. Our object is to enable top level sensor design tradeoffs to be evaluated and to derive first order estimates of sensor requirements that could potentially enable fully automated timely detection of time-critical tactical military targets over broad areas against a wide variety of terrain types. We describe a simple algorithm for target detection that is single-pass, completely automated, and requires little or no training to detect targets. Monte Carlo simulations on AVIRIS images have been used to measure the performance of this algorithm under realistic conditions and to derive probability of detection and probability of false alarm versus signal to noise ratio in a pair of test images. Although the parameter space is quite large and the exploratory work is still in progress, early results give valuable insight into design requirements for spaceborne hyperspectral sensors to support broad area tactical surveillance applications.
KEYWORDS: Missiles, Signal to noise ratio, Point spread functions, Detection and tracking algorithms, Target detection, Motion models, Sensors, Photodetectors, Quantum efficiency, Control systems design
We have developed a high fidelity seeker simulation including point spread function, pixel fill factor, read noise, background radiation, fixed pattern noise, and smearing due to relative platform/target motion, which is fully described in a previous paper. In this paper we report on enhancements to this model and integration of the seeker model with a six degree of freedom (6dof) missile model. The enhanced seeker model is applied to a photon starved scenario and used to evaluate the tradeoff between a high quantum efficiency, low noise CCD and a photon counter exhibiting only photon noise but significantly lower detection efficiency. It is shown that even very small amounts of read noise bring significant track accuracy penalties in low background situations. The 6dof simulation employs an object oriented architecture and is implemented in C++ for Windows. It simulates target position and missile (or observing platform) position and attitude versus time, as well as the missile guidance and control systems. This allows interactive tradeoffs between seeker design and guidance and control system design to be evaluated early in the design cycle. An example of such a tradeoff is presented.
KEYWORDS: Signal to noise ratio, Sensors, Staring arrays, Detection and tracking algorithms, Computer simulations, Point spread functions, Target detection, Missiles, Monte Carlo methods, Algorithm development
The design of an imaging electro-optical seeker for a hit-to-kill, missile using autonomous on- board guidance is discussed. A high fidelity electro-optical seeker simulation developed at Ball Aerospace has been used to study the performance of various track algorithms as a function of seeker and sensor design parameters. Methods of accurately simulating seeker performance without sacrificing computational efficiency are shown. Optimum point spread function and track algorithm selection as a function of signal to noise are derived. The effect of sensor performance parameters such as gain nonuniformity and operability is quantified.
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