Modular target acquisition model and visualization tool

Abstract

We developed a software framework for image-based simulation models in the chain: scene-atmosphere-sensor-image enhancement-display-human observer: EO-VISTA. The goal is to visualize the steps and to quantify (Target Acquisition) task performance. EO-VISTA provides an excellent means to systematically determine the effects of certain factors on overall performance in the context of the whole chain. There is a wide number of applications in the areas of sensor design, maintenance, TA model development, tactical decision aids and R&D. The framework is set up in such a way that modules of different producers can be combined, once they comply with a standardized interface. At the moment the shell runs with three modules, required to calculate TA-performance based on the TOD (Triangle Orientation Discrimination) method. In order to demonstrate the potential of a future comprehensive visualization tool, two example calculations are carried out using two programs not yet implemented: the pcSitoS sensor simulation model and the EOSTAR scene and atmosphere model. With the examples we show that: i) pcSitoS yields a TOD comparable to that of the real sensor that is simulated, ii) performance differences between the human visual system model implemented for automated TOD measurement and a human observer are consistent over different types of sensor and may be corrected for relatively easy, and iii) simulation results of thermal ship imagery are in line with acquisition ranges predicted with the TOD model. All these results can be studied more extensively with EO-VISTA in a systematic way.

Sensor performance as a function of sampling (d) and optical blur (Fλ)

“…For the FLIR SC2000, we have (Table 2) For this condition we find that VA = 0.51 mrad -1 , in agreement with reported measurements 15 , and r 75 = 110 m. Probability versus range is shown in Figure 6 (solid line).…”

“…A simulation platform EO-VISTA 15 that includes a triangle test pattern generator, the pcSitoS sensor simulation model 16 and a Human Visual System (HVS) model 5 was used to generate the test patterns and simulate the image degradation through a number of sensors (see 2.4). Choices with the simulation platform are given in section 2.3-2.5.…”

“…See Table 2. The FLIR SC2000 uncooled microbolometer is extensively investigated and data with the real and simulated sensor are reported in a series of papers 15,17,18 . The other sensors were selected from Krapels et al (2007) 2 .…”

Software toolkit for evaluating infrared imaging seeker

“…Examples are given in Figure 3 in the case of maritime scenario. The direct exploitations of such outputs have been proven useful for external applications such as a target acquisition model in the EO-VISTA software framework (see Bijl et al, 2008) [1] or a complete missile fly-out simulator with the TNO Electronic Warfare Model EWM (see the hit point analysis by Schoemaker et al, 2010) [8] . However this type of coupling was limiting since the applications were forced to consider open loop simulations and prevented more advanced studies on dynamic scenarios.…”

Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity with compressed motion video

“…Combinations with real components are possible as well. This combined visual simulation of the chain from scene to observer and TA model provides a huge amount of operational and R&D applications including automated measurement, sensor design, scene visualization and/or tactical decision aids 15 .…”