Image metrics approach to understanding effects of terrain and environment on performance of thermal target acquisition systems

Bruce M. Sabol; Kenneth G. Hall

doi:10.1117/12.21841

1 September 1990 Image metrics approach to understanding effects of terrain and environment on performance of thermal target acquisition systems

Bruce M. Sabol, Kenneth G. Hall

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1311, Characterization, Propagation, and Simulation of Infrared Scenes; (1990) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.21841
Event: 1990 Technical Symposium on Optics, Electro-Optics, and Sensors, 1990, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Understanding the general statistical characteristics and the distribution of target-like features in thermal background imagery is an important part of solving the automatic target recognition (ATR) problem. An alternative approach to test site and scene characterization, based on thermal background image metrics, is described and demonstrated. A database of forward looking infrared (FLIR) imagery, and meteorological and terrain data was systematically obtained from three continental U.S. (CONUS) test sites. Image metrics, relevant to ATR performance, were computed on all imagery. It was demonstrated that temporal variations in these metrics could be predicted (r²≥0.79) using current meteorological conditions and a time history of solar loading measurements. Scene-to-scene differences in the texture metrics at a single test site could be predicted (r²≥O.78) based on gross scene content attributes. The applications and limitations of this approach and procedure are discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Bruce M. Sabol and Kenneth G. Hall "Image metrics approach to understanding effects of terrain and environment on performance of thermal target acquisition systems", Proc. SPIE 1311, Characterization, Propagation, and Simulation of Infrared Scenes, (1 September 1990); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.21841

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