Refining Atmosphere Profiles for Aerial Target Detection Models

Grimming, Robert; Leslie, Patrick; Burrell, Derek; Holst, Gerald C.; Davis, Brian; Driggers, Ronald G.

doi:10.3390/s21217067

Cited by 6 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…It has been shown that for a clear sky background, moderate resolution atmospheric transmission (MODTRAN) is an accurate atmospheric model for predicting background path radiance in the LWIR and MWIR. 17 Using either radiosonde historic averages or importing exact day radiosonde data from a specific location, 18 the measured and MODTRAN modeled background path radiance produces similar results. The error in the SNR or signal-to-clutter ration is much lower when importing radiosonde data into MODTRAN rather than using standard atmosphere models.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Radiosonde data can be used to more closely match the path radiance of any atmosphere and that work inspired using the same concept for cloud BBEQ temperatures. 17 Similar to the approach with the clear skies, nighttime cloud data are taken near the time of a radiosonde sounding 18 so the atmospheric data matched in time. The cloud modeling was done in the MODTRAN GUI version 6.1.2.…”

Section: Modtran Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For an IRST model to match a real scenario, the background and target must be modeled accurately. It has been shown that for a clear sky background, moderate resolution atmospheric transmission (MODTRAN) is an accurate atmospheric model for predicting background path radiance in the LWIR and MWIR 17 . Using either radiosonde historic averages or importing exact day radiosonde data from a specific location, 18 the measured and MODTRAN modeled background path radiance produces similar results.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Empirical model for longwave and midwave radiometric and spatial characteristics of clouds for target detection considerations

et al. 2023

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The presence of clouds affects the detection of small airborne targets for infrared imaging. Clouds increase the signal of the background and create nonuniformity behind a desired target. This results in low and varying contrast. Clear sky conditions provide a low noise, uniform background that gives a better chance of detection. Understanding key variables of the clouds nonuniform structure allows for better detection and for accurate infrared search and track (IRST) models. Atmospheric modeling software, such as moderate resolution atmospheric transmission (MODTRAN), provides background path radiance in the emissive midwave infrared and longwave infrared bands. These modeled skies have been matched with measured skies in various conditions with low error. MODTRAN clouds, however, assume total cloud cover of uniform thickness and no varying transmission. MODTRAN clouds do not consider the spatially and radiometrically varying structures that make clouds unique. Studied spatial and radiometric characteristics of clouds are used in an empirical approach to predict cloud radiometric temperatures and structures with four simple equations. These cloud properties are measured at night to avoid solar contributions and focus on their emissive characteristics. The empirically modeled clouds are projections from measured or MODTRAN modeled clear skies. This method of modeling clouds allows for easy implementation of a nonclear sky background into IRST models. The range in which a target is first detected from its background can now be compared between clear and cloudy skies.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Modtran Modelingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Empirical model for longwave and midwave radiometric and spatial characteristics of clouds for target detection considerations

et al. 2023

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“…When the sky is not in view, the sky radiance can be quickly and accurately estimated using a radiation transfer software package, such as MODTRAN with local atmospheric conditions and radiosonde data. 13 In scenes where the sky is visible from horizon to zenith, the total path radiance incident on a surface can be determined. However, in most cases, only a portion of the sky is visible within the sensor's field of view (FOV).…”

Section: Estimating Sky Radiancementioning

confidence: 99%

Multiband longwave infrared reflectance removal using blackbody channel prior

Grimming

Furxhi²,

Driggers

et al. 2023

Opt. Eng.

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.Drawing from techniques used to dehaze visible, three-channel RGB images, we propose an approach to separate emissive and reflected radiance in images at short distances with a microbolometer-based longwave infrared (LWIR) camera system. The best case for optimal contrast and with the most descriptive information about the scene in an LWIR image would be where no external sources are radiating toward the scene. We introduce the concept of a blackbody channel prior (BCP) to multiband LWIR imaging to describe pixels that represent objects that behave most similarly to perfect blackbodies with an emissivity near unity. Most LWIR images of outdoor scenes are degraded largely in part by reflected sky path radiance. We can estimate scene radiance with a minimized reflective component producing images with enhanced contrast. Experiments on a number of multiband images are present to demonstrate this spectral-based BCP technique and show its potential for preserving scene information while achieving contrast enhancement.

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“…In [ 5 ], continuing with aerial targets, we now proceed from RF to infrared (IR) imaging target acquisition. Atmospheric path radiance in infrared is extremely important in calculating system performance in certain infrared detection systems.…”

Section: Brief On Research Articles Publishedmentioning

confidence: 99%