Analog CEM Circuit for Hyper-Spectral Target Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hyper-spectral imaging and detection systems face challenges in achieving real-time or near real-time target detection due to high power consumption and low computational speed, particularly on small power-restricted mobile platforms, limiting their precision and reliability in identifying targets within hyper-spectral image data.

Innovation Solution

A modified constrained energy minimization (CEM) method is employed using constrained linear programming optimization to determine filter coefficients, which are applied to hyper-spectral image data to identify target pixels, enhancing target recognition by excluding identified target pixels from the data processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional DSP approaches are used for hyper-spectral target detection, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases and computational speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget detection precisionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional digital signal processing (DSP) approaches with an analog constrained energy minimization (CEM) circuit implementation. The CEM algorithm is mapped to an analog circuit that performs target detection through continuous-time signal processing, eliminating the need for high-speed analog-to-digital conversion and computationally-intensive digital operations. This substitution of mechanical/digital processing with analog processing significantly reduces power consumption while maintaining target detection precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If traditional DSP approaches are used for hyper-spectral target detection, then measurement precision is improved, but computational speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget detection precisionVSAvoidcomputational speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If high-speed high dynamic-range analog to digital conversion is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectral resolutionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs background estimation and filter coefficient calculation in advance using an analog CEM circuit before target detection. By pre-processing the hyper-spectral data to determine optimal filter coefficients that capture target spectral signatures, the system eliminates the need for high-speed high dynamic-range analog-to-digital conversion during actual target detection. This preliminary action allows subsequent detection to use lower-power operations while maintaining spectral resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If complex digital signal processing is performed, then target detection accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex digital signal processing operations with an analog CEM circuit implementation. The circuit uses continuous-time signal processing to perform background estimation, filter coefficient calculation, and target detection in a unified analog domain. This substitution eliminates the need for complex digital processing stages including high-speed analog-to-digital conversion, matrix operations, and iterative optimization algorithms, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining target detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8280111B2Advanced background estimation technique and circuit for a hyper-spectral target detection method

Publication Date: 2012.10.02 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A system, circuit and methods for target detection from hyper-spectral image data are disclosed. Filter coefficients are determined using a modified constrained energy minimization (CEM) method. The modified CEM method can operate on a circuit operable to perform constrained linear programming optimization. A filter comprising the filter coefficients is applied to a plurality of pixels of the hyper-spectral image data to form CEM values for the pixels, and one or more target pixels are identified from the CEM values. The process may be repeated to enhance target recognition by using filter coefficients determined by excluding the identified target pixels from the hyper-spectral image data.