Multispectral Target Detection with Inertial Motion Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing two-color, staring-array imagers face challenges in detecting moving objects due to time delays between image captures, leading to misregistration across frames, and existing solutions either require multiple imagers, increasing weight, or compromise resolution/sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A single focal plane, channel-sequential multispectral imager coupled with an Inertial Navigation System (INS) registers images based on inertial data to compensate for motion, allowing for simultaneous capture and correlation of spectral channels, and uses image processing techniques to identify targets with known properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple imagers are used to capture images simultaneously, then image registration accuracy is improved, but device weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the imaging function into separate spectral channels captured sequentially by a single imager, rather than using multiple imagers simultaneously. The imaging sequence is segmented by wavelength bands, with each band captured in turn, eliminating the need for multiple heavy imager units while maintaining registration capability through temporal sequencing combined with INS data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an Inertial Navigation System (INS) as an intermediary to bridge the time delay between sequential spectral channel captures. The INS provides motion compensation data that acts as a mediator to register images from different time points, replacing the need for simultaneous multi-imager capture and reducing system weight
2Measurement precision
If an imager captures multiple channels simultaneously, then image registration accuracy is improved, but resolution or sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the spectral detection into sequential channels captured at different time points rather than simultaneously. Each spectral channel is captured with full resolution and sensitivity by the same imager, avoiding the trade-off where simultaneous multi-channel capture would require splitting the detector array and reducing per-channel performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary motion compensation using INS data before registering the sequential spectral images. By anticipating and compensating for motion between frames through INS-based registration, the system maintains accurate image alignment without requiring simultaneous capture that would compromise resolution
3Device complexity
If sequential image capture is used for each spectral channel, then device complexity is reduced, but target detection reliability deteriorates due to motion between frames
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses INS data as an intermediary to compensate for motion between sequential frames. The inertial measurement provides a reference framework that allows accurate registration of images captured at different times, maintaining target detection reliability despite the time delay inherent in sequential capture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where INS motion data is continuously fed into the image registration process. The registration algorithm uses the INS-provided motion compensation to adjust and align sequential frames, creating a closed-loop system that maintains detection reliability throughout the sequential capture sequence
Data Source
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AI summary
A target detection system includes an imager that sequentially captures frames, in different emission bands. These frames are registered with respect to one another based on information from an Inertial Navigation System (INS) and compensation is made for any motion of the imager between frames. Identification of a candidate target object that is detected, or otherwise identified in one band, initiates a search for a correlated object in the other band within a radius, or distance, in a common image-space reference frame. When a pair of objects is identified, a measure of the intensities of the signals in the two bands is compared to an expected range of values to discriminate a target of interest from an object that is not of interest.