Multimodal Filter Substrate for Clutter Rejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Guidance systems for projectiles face challenges in quickly and accurately identifying targets from non-targets due to limited imaging modalities and the push-broom effect, which can result in delayed target recognition and potential missed interceptions.
Innovation Solution
A ground imaging system that uses a filter substrate with multiple filter types, including polarization and multispectral filters, to analyze electromagnetic radiation, coupled with a processing device like a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to analyze contrast, polarization, and multispectral signatures, allowing for robust object identification and rapid rejection of clutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single imaging modality is used for target identification, then the system complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and reliability of target identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (polarization imaging and multispectral imaging) into a single integrated ground imaging system. The filter substrate integrates both polarization filters and multispectral filters in an arranged pattern, allowing simultaneous acquisition of multiple imaging data types from the same scene, thereby improving target identification accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The filter substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both a polarization filter array and a multispectral filter array. This multi-functional component enables the imaging system to capture polarization information and spectral information through a single substrate, reducing the need for separate imaging systems while maintaining high measurement precision
2Measurement precision
If multiple imaging modalities are used to improve target identification accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (polarization imaging and multispectral imaging) into a single integrated ground imaging system. The filter substrate integrates both polarization filters and multispectral filters in an arranged pattern, allowing simultaneous acquisition of multiple imaging data types from the same scene, thereby improving target identification accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The filter substrate employs a nested structure where polarization filters and multispectral filters are arranged in an interleaved pattern at the same focal plane. This nesting allows both types of filters to occupy the same spatial footprint, enabling multi-modal imaging through a single substrate without requiring separate optical paths or multiple complex subsystems
3Productivity
If the projectile moves quickly to maintain mission effectiveness, then the productivity increases, but the time available for target identification decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary target identification using contrast information from grayscale imaging data before requiring detailed analysis. The processing device first identifies potential targets based on contrast differences, then selectively applies polarization and multispectral analysis only to regions of interest, reducing the overall processing time required for target identification while maintaining accuracy
4Measurement precision
If more image data is collected to improve target identification accuracy, then the measurement precision improves, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by selectively processing only the most informative imaging modalities for each potential target. The processing device analyzes contrast data first, then applies polarization and multispectral filtering only where needed to confirm or reject target status. This selective processing reduces the total data processing time while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for accurate target identification
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables faster and more accurate identification of targets by providing additional imaging modalities, reducing the risk of collateral damage and ensuring timely course corrections for guided projectiles.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of filters includes polarization filters and multispectral filters
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of filters includes polarization filters and multispectral filters
Data Source
AI summary
A ground imaging system for use on a guided aerobody includes one or more lenses designed to receive EM radiation from a ground level, a filter substrate having a plurality of filters, a sensor array designed to receive the EM radiation from the filter substrate, and a processing device coupled to the sensor array. The filter substrate is located at a focal plane of the one or more lenses such that the filter substrate receives the EM radiation from the one or more lenses. The plurality of filters includes at least polarization filters and multispectral filters. The processing device is designed to analyze multispectral and polarization signatures of the electromagnetic radiation from identified objects at the ground level and determine that one or more of the objects is not a desired target based at least on the hyperspectral and polarization signatures of the one or more objects.