We investigated the utility of target visibility and dissimilarity metrics proposed by Pezzaniti et al.? Metric utility was determined by looking for correlation between the metrics and ML object detection performance. To do this, thousands of synthetic image sets were generated with varied seed parameters, such as target mean, background mean, target contrast and background contrast. The visibility and dissimilarity metrics for the synthetic images were calculated. YOLOv5? was used to detect simulated military threats in the synthetic data. We will present correlations to determine the significance of the visibility and dissimilarity metrics as it relates to detection performance.
A fundamental limitation of current visible through shortwave infrared hyperspectral imaging systems is the dependence on solar illumination. This reliance limits the operability of such systems to small windows during which the sun provides enough solar radiation to achieve adequate signal levels. Similarly, nighttime collection is infeasible. This work discusses the development and testing of a high-powered super-continuum laser for potential use as an on-board illumination source coupled with a hyperspectral receiver to allow for day/night operability. A 5-watt shortwave infrared supercontinuum laser was developed, characterized in the lab, and tower-tested along a 1.6km slant path to demonstrate propagation capability as a spectral light source.
The COMPact Airborne Spectral Sensor (COMPASS) hyperspectral imager (HSI) developed at the Army Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) operates in the solar reflective region. The fundamental advance of the COMPASS instrument is the ability to capture 400nm to 2350nm on a single focal plane, eliminating boresighting and co-registration issues characteristic of dual FPA instruments for visible and SWIR regions. This paper presents a calibration procedure for COMPASS including spectral band profiles and radiometric calibration. These procedures expand on successful calibration procedures used for the Night Vision Infrared Spectrometer (NVIS) system. A high-resolution monochromator was used to map the band center and bandwidth profiles across the FPA with an accuracy goal of ±0.5nm using several different illumination configurations. Although optical distortions are below previous measurement capabilities, accurate band profiles provide additional data to map potential distortions within the system. Radiometric calibration was performed with a NIST-traceable flood source. Test results are presented showing a well-behaved system with an average spectral bandwidth of 8.0nm ±0.5nm over the instrument spectral range.
The NVESD COMPASS instrument is an airborne dispersive hyperspectral imager that covers the VNIR through SWIR bands and incorporates a real-time data processing system. The processing system consists of a Data Processing Computer (DPC) and an Operator Display/Control Computer (ODC). The high-performance DPC executes real-time sensor calibration and multiple spectral detection algorithms on 13 G4-processors in a Race++ switched backplane. The DPC sends three-band pseudo-color hyperspectral data, high-resolution target chips, and GPS/INS data to the ODC. The ODC outputs a geo-registered display of HSI color imagery with detection cue overlays. The COMPASS detection algorithms, which are particularly well suited to CC&D targeting applications, include the SSRX spectral anomaly detector, the NFINDR/STD spectral unmixing-based anomaly detector, (3) a supervised spectral matched filter (SSMF), and (4) Healey's invariant subspace detector. The DPC airborne component is VME-based in a compact, ruggedized chassis. The COMPASS real-time processor is a second generation system based on NRL-sponsored WarHORSE demonstrations. This paper reviews the DPC system design, capabilities and performance.
KEYWORDS: Sensors, Calibration, Spectroscopy, Cameras, Short wave infrared radiation, Scanners, Black bodies, Fourier transforms, Geographic information systems, Temperature metrology
In order to assist Rescue and Recovery personnel after 11 September 2001, Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate was requested to collect a variety of airborne electro-optic data of the WTC site. The immediate objective was to provide FDNY with geo-rectified high-resolution and solar reflective hyperspectral data to help map the debris-field. Later data collections included calibrated MWIR data. This thermal data provided accurate temperature profiles, which could be warped to the high-resolution data. This paper will describe the assets and software used to help provide the FDNY data products, which were incorporated into their GIS database.
The Night Vision Imaging Spectrometer (NVIS) system has participated in a large variety of hyperspectral data collections for the Department of Defense. A large number of improvements to this system have been undertaken. They include the implementation of a calibration process that utilizes in-flight calibration units (IFCU). Other improvements include the completion and implementation of an updated laboratory wavelength assignments map which provide precise bandwidth profiles of every NVIS pixel. NVESD has recently incorporated a Boeing C-MIGITS II INS/DGPS system, which allows geo-rectification of every frame of NVIS data. A PC-based Dual Real Time Recorder DRTR was developed to extend the collection capability of the sensor and allow the concurrent collection of data from other devices. The DRTR collects data from the NVIS, a Dalsa imager, and data from the CMIGITS-II (C/A code Miniature Integrated GPS/INS Tactical System) which provides navigation information. The integration of the CIMGITS-II allows every data frame of both the NVIS and the DALSA to be stamped with INS/GPS information. The DRTR software can also provide real-time waterfall displays of the data being collected. This paper will review the recent improvements to the NVIS system.
KEYWORDS: Cameras, Sensors, Nonuniformity corrections, Image processing, Neural networks, Temperature metrology, Analog electronics, Black bodies, Image enhancement, Signal processing
This paper reports on the performance of the Neuromorphic IRFPA, the first IRFPA designed and fabricated to conduct temporal and spatial processing on the focal plane. The Neuromorphic IRFPA's unique on-chip processing capability can perform retina-like functions such as lateral inhibition and contrast enhancement, spatial and temporal filtering, image compression and edge enhancement, and logarithmic response. Previously, all evaluations of the Neuromorphic IRFPA camera have been performed on the analog video output. In the work leading up to this paper, the Neuromorphic was integrated to a digital recorder to collect quantitative laboratory and field data. This paper describes the operation and characterization of specific on-chip processes such as spatial and temporal kernel size control. The use of Neuromorphic on-chip processing in future IRFPAs is analyzed as applied to improving SNR via adaptive nonuniformity, charge handling, and dynamic range problems.
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