FLIR-to-Missile Boresight Correlation and Non-Uniformity Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current guided missile systems face challenges in efficiently performing boresight correlation and non-uniformity compensation, particularly in non-uniform scenes, which delays target acquisition and increases operator involvement, exposing soldiers to risk.
Innovation Solution
The method involves simultaneous boresight correlation and non-uniformity compensation using un-NUCed missile video, employing spatial gradient filtering and scene-based non-uniformity compensation that adapts to imager non-uniformities rather than scene content, allowing for faster target handover and improved signal-to-noise ratio.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If non-uniformity compensation is performed before boresight correlation, then image quality is improved, but time required for target acquisition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines non-uniformity compensation and boresight correlation into a single integrated process. The scene-based non-uniformity compensation is performed using the same image data that is used for boresight correlation, eliminating the need for separate processing steps and reducing overall acquisition time while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary scene-based non-uniformity compensation using temporal averaging of multiple frames before the final correlation step. This preliminary processing reduces fixed-pattern noise in advance, allowing the subsequent boresight correlation to work with already-compensated data, thereby improving efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If traditional non-uniformity compensation is used, then fixed-pattern noise is reduced, but scene content is distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements scene-based non-uniformity compensation that adapts to local scene characteristics. Instead of applying a uniform compensation across the entire image, the system analyzes local scene content and applies compensation selectively, preserving edges and high-frequency details while removing fixed-pattern noise. This is achieved through techniques like edge detection and adaptive filtering that distinguish between scene features and sensor artifacts.
3Measurement precision
If missile seeker video is processed with high resolution, then target detection accuracy is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processing task by first performing non-uniformity compensation on individual frames using temporal averaging, then using the compensated frames for boresight correlation. This segmentation allows each processing stage to work with optimized data, reducing overall computational complexity while maintaining high-resolution target detection capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides for simple and streamlined boresight correlation of FLIR-to-missile video. Boresight correlation is performed with un-NUCed missile video, which allows boresight correlation and NUC to be performed simultaneously thereby reducing the time required to acquire a target and fire the missile. The current approach uses the motion of the missile seeker for NUCing to produce spatial gradient filtering in the missile image by differencing images as the seeker moves. This compensates DC non-uniformities in the image. A FLIR image is processed with a matching displace and subtract spatial filter constructed based on the tracked scene motion. The FLIR image is resampled to match the missile image resolution, and the two images are preprocessed and correlated using conventional methods. Improved NUC is provided by cross-referencing multiple measurements of each area of the scene as viewed by different pixels in the imager. This approach is based on the simple yet novel premise that every pixel in the array that looks at the same thing should see the same thing. As a result, the NUC terms adapt to non-uniformities in the imager and not the scene.