This paper presents analysis of digital images from single and dual sensor systems of man and vehicle size targets at low light conditions (at or below starlight conditions, 10-4 foot candles). More specifically, the image analysis will focus on measurement and interpretation of localized signal to noise ratio (LSNR) from these targets and connection to target contrast and spatial range. First, this paper will define localized signal to noise ratio and its context to information rich and poor targets to various background scenes. Then this definition will be applied to an artificially generated target to background scene composed of various gray scale square targets with various contrasts and Gaussian noise levels embedded on gray scale background with defined contrast and Gaussian noise level. The next section defines the field experiment and equipment setup to measure localized SNR for actual man and vehicle size targets in low light level conditions using a fused dual sensor system. Initial results of this field experiment shows line shape behavior of localized SNR is better represented by a decaying exponential function to spatial range likely related to Beer-Lambert Law of atmospheric radiation propagation. Finally, localized SNR is greater for fused dual sensor system as compared to its respective single sensor system modes for man and vehicle targets specified in this paper. Paper has been cleared by DOD/OSR for Public Release under OSR Ref: 07-S-1131 on April 16, 2007.

Date Published: 6 May 2009
PDF: 14 pages
Proc. SPIE 7298, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXV, 72983M (6 May 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.817057

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7298:
Infrared Technology and Applications XXXV
Bjørn F. Andresen; Gabor F. Fulop; Paul R. Norton, Editor(s)