Double Layered-Background Removal Filter for Detecting Small Infrared Targets in Heterogenous Backgrounds
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Double Layered-Background Removal Filter for Detecting Small Infrared Targets in Heterogenous Backgrounds Sungho Kim
Received: 31 August 2010 / Accepted: 18 November 2010 / Published online: 28 November 2010 # Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010
Abstract Detecting small targets is essential for mitigating the sea-based Infrared search and track (IRST) problem. It is easy to detect small targets in homogeneous backgrounds such as the sky. When targets are on the border line of heterogeneous backgrounds such as the horizon in the sky and sea surface, solving the problem of detection becomes difficult. This paper presents a novel spatial filtering method, called Double Layered-Background Removal Filter (DL-BRF), for achieving high detection rates and low false alarm rates. DLBRF consists of a Modified-Mean Subtraction Filter (M-MSF) and a consecutive LocalDirectional Background Removal Filter (L-DBRF). M-MSF enhances the target signal and reduces background noise. L-DBRF removes horizontal structures, which upgrade the signal-to-clutter ratio and background suppression factor. L-DBRF used after M-MSF enhances the synergistic performance of horizontal target detection. Additionally, the adaptive Hysteresis threshold-based scheme is a suitable detection method. We validate the superior performance of the proposed method via three types of evaluation tests, including a real test scenario. Keywords IRST . Horizontal target . Heterogeneous background estimation . Target detection . Adaptive hysteresis threshold
1 Introduction Infrared search and track (IRST) systems are designed for the autonomous searching, detection, acquisition, tracking, and designation of potential targets. In these applications, targets, such as planes, missiles, and ships, are typically unresolved and appear in sky, sea, and terrain backgrounds in only a few resolution pixels. The detection algorithm should detect true targets to satisfy the systems’ detection rate, yet reject false targets. Especially, the detection of long range small targets is rather difficult because the infrared radiation S. Kim (*) Department of Electronic Engineering, Yeungnam University, 214-1 Dae-dong, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea 712-749 e-mail: [email protected]
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J Infrared Milli Terahz Waves (2011) 32:79–101
from the target is scattered or absorbed as it passes the atmosphere in the long range. The detected energy is so weak that the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is very low. Spatially varying clutter also produces many false alarms. Furthermore, because of the nature of threats, it is sometimes necessary to declare targets within a single scan period. So, it is necessary to detect targets from a single image. In this paper, we consider the detection of anti-ship sea-skimming missiles (ASSM), ships, or boats in sea-based IRST systems. The main objective of IRST systems is to detect those threat targets as quickly as possible for ship defense. The minimal detection distance should be over 8 km. According to our geometric analysis, the vulnerab
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