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Fitting Solar Panel Brdf Parameters To Out-Of-Plane Empirical Data, Michael R. Gross
Fitting Solar Panel Brdf Parameters To Out-Of-Plane Empirical Data, Michael R. Gross
Theses and Dissertations
The bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) describes material reflectance by describing how incident irradiance reflects into all possible scatter angles as a function of incident angle. However, a solar panel has unique features that are not featured in any of these previously known models. A previous project at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) created a novel microfacet-like BRDF to model a solar panel with a prominent diffractive feature present which had not been previously modeled. This BRDF was coded into MATLAB for modeling purposes and C++ to test its speed with a MEX function call. A previous thesis …
Improved Out-Of-Plane Brdf Measurement And Modeling, Todd V. Small
Improved Out-Of-Plane Brdf Measurement And Modeling, Todd V. Small
Theses and Dissertations
The bi-directional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) describes the directional (spatial) nature of light’s reflectance from a material surface. When incident light of a particular wavelength strikes a material surface from a particular direction, portions of that incident light will be reflected into various directions in various amounts, depending on the material’s surface characteristics. Historically, the vast majority of BRDF measurement and modeling research has focused on reflection within the plane-of incidence (in-plane) and dealt primarily with simplified isotropic BRDFs. Remote sensing applications, such as satellite light curve analysis, typically rely on closed-form microfacet models for efficiency. There are many factors, …
Identifying Four Year Average Cloud Field Regimes From World Wide Merged Cloud Analysis Dataset By Way Of K-Means Clustering, Stewart G. Almeida
Identifying Four Year Average Cloud Field Regimes From World Wide Merged Cloud Analysis Dataset By Way Of K-Means Clustering, Stewart G. Almeida
Theses and Dissertations
Joint histograms of cloud top height (CTH) and optical depth (OD) are created using the World-Wide Merged Cloud Analysis (WWMCA) dataset over a four year period (2014-2017) to identify average cloud field regimes and assess the application of utilizing the WWMCA dataset with the AFIT Sensor and Scene Emulation Tool (ASSET). Two selected regions encompassing the Florida peninsula and a portion of the Pacific Ocean off the west-central coast of South America are examined over the months of January and July. Cloud field regimes are identified by running generated hourly OD-CTH histograms through k-means clustering, with optimal cluster number ( …
Data Driven Investigation Into The Off-Axis Brdf To Develop An Algorithm To Classify Anisotropicity, Anne W. Werkley
Data Driven Investigation Into The Off-Axis Brdf To Develop An Algorithm To Classify Anisotropicity, Anne W. Werkley
Theses and Dissertations
The Bi-directional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) is used to describe reflectances of materials by calculating the ratio of the reflected radiance to the incident irradiance. While it was found that isotropic BRDF microfacet models maintained symmetry about ɸs = π, such symmetry was not maintained about the θs = θi axis, except for close to the specular peak. This led to development of a novel data-driven metric for how isotropic a BRDF measurement is. Research efforts centered around developing an algorithm that could determine material anisotropy without having to fit to models. The algorithm developed here successfully …
Comparison Of The Accuracy Of Rayleigh-Rice Polarization Factors To Improve Microfacet Brdf Models, Rachel L. Wolfgang
Comparison Of The Accuracy Of Rayleigh-Rice Polarization Factors To Improve Microfacet Brdf Models, Rachel L. Wolfgang
Theses and Dissertations
Microfacet BRDF models assume that a surface has many small microfacets making up the roughness of the surface. Despite their computational simplicity in applications in remote sensing and scene generation, microfacet models lack the physical accuracy of wave optics models. In a previous work, Butler proposed to replace the Fresnel reflectance term of microfacet models with the Rayleigh-Rice polarization factor, Q, to create a more accurate model. This work examines the novel model that combines microfacet and wave optics terms for its accuracy in the pp and ss polarized cases individually. The model is fitted to the polarized data in …
Digital Holography Efficiency Experiments For Tactical Applications, Douglas E. Thornton
Digital Holography Efficiency Experiments For Tactical Applications, Douglas E. Thornton
Theses and Dissertations
Digital holography (DH) uses coherent detection and offers direct access to the complex-optical field to sense and correct image aberrations in low signal-to-noise environments, which is critical for tactical applications. The performance of DH is compared to a similar, well studied deep-turbulence wavefront sensor, the self-referencing interferometer (SRI), with known efficiency losses. Wave optics simulations with deep-turbulence conditions and noise were conducted and the results show that DH outperforms the SRI by 10's of dB due to DH's strong reference. Additionally, efficiency experiments were conducted to investigate DH system losses. The experimental results show that the mixing efficiency (37%) is …
Unresolved Object Detection Using Synthetic Data Generation And Artificial Neural Networks, Yong U. Sinn
Unresolved Object Detection Using Synthetic Data Generation And Artificial Neural Networks, Yong U. Sinn
Theses and Dissertations
This research presents and solves constrained real-world problems of using synthetic data to train artificial neural networks (ANNs) to detect unresolved moving objects in wide field of view (WFOV) electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) satellite motion imagery. Objectives include demonstrating the use of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) Sensor and Scene Emulation Tool (ASSET) as an effective tool for generating EO/IR motion imagery representative of real WFOV sensors and describing the ANN architectures, training, and testing results obtained. Deep learning using a 3-D convolutional neural network (3D ConvNet), long short term memory (LSTM) network, and U-Net are used to solve the …
Improving Detection Of Dim Targets: Optimization Of A Moment-Based Detection Algorithm, Shannon R. Young
Improving Detection Of Dim Targets: Optimization Of A Moment-Based Detection Algorithm, Shannon R. Young
Theses and Dissertations
Wide area motion imagery (WAMI) sensor technology is advancing rapidly. Increases in frame rates and detector array sizes have led to a dramatic increase in the volume of data that can be acquired. Without a corresponding increase in analytical manpower, much of these data remain underutilized. This creates a need for fast, automated, and robust methods for detecting dim, moving signals of interest. Current approaches fall into two categories: detect-before-track (DBT) and track-before-detect (TBD) methods. The DBT methods use thresholding to reduce the quantity of data to be processed, making real time implementation practical but at the cost of the …
Methodology To Analyze Tropical Cyclone Intensity From Microwave Imagery, Matthew W. Perkins
Methodology To Analyze Tropical Cyclone Intensity From Microwave Imagery, Matthew W. Perkins
Theses and Dissertations
Satellites with microwave remote sensing capabilities can be utilized to study atmospheric phenomena through high-level cloud cover (particularly cirrus), an advantage over visible and infrared bands, which only sense cloud tops. This unique capability makes microwave imagery ideal for studying the cloud structures of tropical cyclones (TCs) in detail, and relating these features to TC intensity. Techniques to estimate the intensity of TCs using infrared imagery, such as the Dvorak technique, have been used in TC forecasting for 40 years. However, due to the inherent temporal limitations of microwave imagery, no such similar technique exists for the microwave spectrum. This …
Improved Atmospheric Characterization For Hyperspectral Exploitation, Nathan P. Wurst
Improved Atmospheric Characterization For Hyperspectral Exploitation, Nathan P. Wurst
Theses and Dissertations
Airborne hyperspectral imaging (HSI) in the LWIR has shown utility in material detection and identification. This research seeks to determine the most effective methods to perform model-based atmospheric compensation of LWIR HSI data by comparing results obtained from different atmospheric profiles. The standard model for mid-latitude summer (MLS) and radiosonde data are compared to the National Operational Model Archive and Distribution System (NOMADS) numerical weather predictions and the Extreme and Percentile Environmental Reference Tables (ExPERT). The two latter atmospheric profiles are generated using the Laser Environmental Effects Definition and Reference (LEEDR) software. MLS has been a standard starting point for …
Passively Estimating Index Of Refraction For Specular Reflectors Using Polarimetric Hyperspectral Imaging, Jacob A. Martin
Passively Estimating Index Of Refraction For Specular Reflectors Using Polarimetric Hyperspectral Imaging, Jacob A. Martin
Theses and Dissertations
As off-nadir viewing platforms becoming increasingly prevalent in remote sensing, material classification and ID techniques robust to changing viewing geometries must be developed. Traditionally, either reflectivity or emissivity are used for classification, but these quantities vary with viewing angle. Instead, estimating index of refraction may be advantageous as it is invariant with respect to viewing geometry. This work focuses on estimating index of refraction from LWIR (875-1250 wavenumbers) polarimetric hyperspectral radiance measurements.
Image-Based Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function Of Human Skin In The Visible And Near Infrared, Jeffrey R. Bintz
Image-Based Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function Of Human Skin In The Visible And Near Infrared, Jeffrey R. Bintz
Theses and Dissertations
Human detection is an important first step in locating and tracking people in many missions including SAR and ISR operations. Recent detection systems utilize hyperspectral and multispectral technology to increase the acquired spectral content in imagery and subsequently better identify targets. This research demonstrates human detection through a multispectral skin detection system to exploit the unique optical properties of human skin. At wavelengths in the VIS and NIR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, an individual can be identified by their unique skin parameters. Current detection methods base the skin pixel selection criteria on a diffuse skin reflectance model; however, it …
Experimental And Theoretical Basis For A Closed-Form Spectral Brdf Model, Samuel D. Butler
Experimental And Theoretical Basis For A Closed-Form Spectral Brdf Model, Samuel D. Butler
Theses and Dissertations
The microfacet class of BRDF models is frequently used to calculate optical scatter from realistic surfaces using geometric optics, but has the disadvantage of not being able to consider wavelength dependence. This dissertation works toward development of a closed-form approximation to the BRDF that is suitable for hyperspectral remote sensing by presenting measured BRDF data of 12 different materials at four different incident angles and up to seven different wavelengths between 3.39 and 10.6 micrometer. The data was intended to be fit to various microfacet BRDF models to determine an appropriate form of the wavelength scaling. However, when fitting the …
Improving The Performance Of The Space Surveillance Telescope As A Function Of Seeing Parameter, Jae H. Jeon
Improving The Performance Of The Space Surveillance Telescope As A Function Of Seeing Parameter, Jae H. Jeon
Theses and Dissertations
This research paper investigates ways to improve the detection capability and predict the performance of the Space Surveillance Telescope (SST) system when it's relocated to Exmouth, Australia. The dataset collected by the SST observing the Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite, ANIK-F1, entering the earth's eclipse is used to test the performance of the three existing and one new detection algorithm. The three existing algorithms are the point detection (Binary Hypothesis Test (BHT)), correlation detection (CD-BHT), and Multi-hypothesis Test using ten hypotheses (MHT10), and the new detection algorithm is the Multi-hypothesis Test using six hypotheses (MHT6). To improve the accuracy and …
Polarimetric Calibration And Characterization Of The Telops Field Portable Polarimetric-Hyperspectral Imager, Joel G. Holder
Polarimetric Calibration And Characterization Of The Telops Field Portable Polarimetric-Hyperspectral Imager, Joel G. Holder
Theses and Dissertations
The Telops polarimetric-hyperspectral imager combines polarimetric and hyperspectral technologies to enable enhanced scene characterization. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency funded research at AFIT to leverage this capability to provide more accurate scene information to radiation transport models that will allow for more effective location of radiation sources within a region of interest. To support the objectives of the DTRA effort, there is a requirement for highly accurate radiometric, polarimetric, and spectral data on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The complex nature of the Telops instrument combined with working in the thermal IR waveband makes achieving this accuracy a challenge. This thesis develops …
Target Classification Of Canonical Scatterers Using Classical Estimation And Dictionary Based Techniques, G. Barry Hammond Ii
Target Classification Of Canonical Scatterers Using Classical Estimation And Dictionary Based Techniques, G. Barry Hammond Ii
Theses and Dissertations
This research effort will utilize a hierarchical dictionary-based approach for canonical shape classification within measured synthetic aperture radar (SAR) phase history data. This primary goal of this research is to develop an efficient framework for dictionary based SAR feature extraction using modi ed 3-D radar scattering models. Previous work in this area relies on maximum likelihood (ML) estimation and similar approaches to extract shapes using 2-D signal models. We include characterizations of shape model redundancies caused by similar shape scattering responses. Simulated SAR collection methods, including frequency, elevation aspect, and polarization diversities, are modeled to show reductions in inter-atom correlation. …
Restoration Of Scene Information Reflected From Non-Specular Media, Mark G. Hoelscher
Restoration Of Scene Information Reflected From Non-Specular Media, Mark G. Hoelscher
Theses and Dissertations
A recently published experiment called dual photography exploits Helmholtz reciprocity by illuminating a scene with a pixilated light source and imaging other parts of that scene with a camera so that light transport between every pair of source-to-camera pixels is measured. The positions of the source and camera are then computationally interchanged to generate a dual image of the scene from the viewpoint of the source illuminated from the position of the camera. Although information from parts of the scene normally hidden from the camera are made available, this technique is rather contrived and therefore limited in practical applications since …
Satellite Capabilities Mapping - Utilizing Small Satellites, David A. Grigsby
Satellite Capabilities Mapping - Utilizing Small Satellites, David A. Grigsby
Theses and Dissertations
The cost and schedule advantages small satellites have over larger legacy systems have been studied, but there has been very little experimentation performed to determine whether small satellites can actually deliver the capabilities of larger spacecraft. To date, a desired operational capability has not been fully realized by a scalable satellite design. Advances in sensor technology have led to significant reductions in size, weight, and power (SWaP) presenting an opportunity to exploit the evolution of space operations by using small satellites to perform specific missions. This paper describes a methodology that maps a specific set of large space vehicle capabilities …
The Effect Of Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Resolution On Target Discrimination, John E. Mcgowan
The Effect Of Synthetic Aperture Radar Image Resolution On Target Discrimination, John E. Mcgowan
Theses and Dissertations
This research details the effect of spatial resolution on target discrimination in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images. Multiple SAR image chips containing targets and non-targets are used to test a baseline Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) system with reduced spatial resolution. Spatial resolution is reduced by lowering the pixel count or synthesizing a degraded image by filtering and reducing the pixel count. A two-parameter Constant False Alarm Rate (CFAR) detector is tested, and three feature sets, size, contrast, and texture, are used to train a linear classifier and to estimate probability density functions for the two classes. The results are scored …
Design Analysis Of A Sapce Based Chromotomographic Hyperspectral Imaging Experiment, Todd A. Book
Design Analysis Of A Sapce Based Chromotomographic Hyperspectral Imaging Experiment, Todd A. Book
Theses and Dissertations
This research develops the design of several components and/or systems for an experimental space-based chromotomographic hyperspectral imager that is being built by the Air Force Institute of Technology. The design work includes three separate topics. The first topic was the development of a structure utilizing finite element analysis and eigenanalysis for the ground-based version of the chromotomographic experiment (CTEx). The ground-based experiment was performed as a risk mitigation measure for the space-based experiment. The second topic includes a design review of a contractor's proposed off-axis Mersenne telescope for the space-based chromotomographic hyperspectral imager. The work included the creation of preliminary …
Development And Demonstration Of A Field-Deployable Fast Chromotomographic Imager, Daniel C. O'Dell
Development And Demonstration Of A Field-Deployable Fast Chromotomographic Imager, Daniel C. O'Dell
Theses and Dissertations
A field deployable hyperspectral imager utilizing chromotomography (CT), with a direct vision prism (DVP) as the dispersive element, has been constructed at AFIT. This research is focused on the development and demonstration of the CT imager. An overview of hyperspectral imaging, chromotomography, a synopsis of reconstruction algorithms, and other CT instruments are given. The importance of component alignment, instrument calibration, and exact prism angular position data are discussed. A simplistic \shift and add" reconstruction algorithm was utilized for this research. Although limited in its ability to reconstruct a spatially and spectrally diverse scene, the algorithm was adequate for the testing …
The Navigation Potential Of Ground Feature Tracking, Guner Mutlu
The Navigation Potential Of Ground Feature Tracking, Guner Mutlu
Theses and Dissertations
This research effort examines the reduction of error in inertial navigation aided by vision. This is part of an effort focused on navigation in a GPS denied environment. The navigation concept examined here consists of two main steps. First, extract the position of a tracked ground object using vision and geo-locate it in 3 dimensional navigation frame. In this first step multiple positions of the UAV are assumed known; think of a synthetic aperture. The only information about the tracked ground objects/features is the unit vector that points to the objects from the center of the camera. Two such vectors …
Using Multiple Robust Parameter Design Techniques To Improve Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection Algorithm Performance, Matthew T. Davis
Using Multiple Robust Parameter Design Techniques To Improve Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection Algorithm Performance, Matthew T. Davis
Theses and Dissertations
Detecting and identifying objects of interest is the goal of all remote sensing. New advances, specifically in hyperspectral imaging technology have provided the analyst with immense amounts of data requiring evaluation. Several filtering techniques or anomaly detection algorithms have been proposed. However, most new algorithms are insufficiently verified to be robust to the broad range of hyperspectral data being made available. One such algorithm, AutoGAD, is tested here via two separate robust parameter design techniques to determine optimal parameters for consistent performance on a range of data with large attribute variances. Additionally, the results of the two techniques are compared …
Exploitation Of Intra-Spectral Band Correlation For Rapid Feacture Selection And Target Identification In Hyperspectral Imagery, Michael K. Miller
Exploitation Of Intra-Spectral Band Correlation For Rapid Feacture Selection And Target Identification In Hyperspectral Imagery, Michael K. Miller
Theses and Dissertations
This research extends the work produced by Capt. Robert Johnson for detecting target pixels within hyperspectral imagery (HSI). The methodology replaces Principle Components Analysis for dimensionality reduction with a clustering algorithm which seeks to associate spectral rather than spatial dimensions. By seeking similar spectral dimensions, the assumption of no a priori knowledge of the relationship between clustered members can be eliminated and clusters are formed by seeking high correlated adjacent spectral bands. Following dimensionality reduction Independent Components Analysis (ICA) is used to perform feature extraction. Kurtosis and Potential Target Fraction are added to Maximum Component Score and Potential Target Signal …
Abstracting Gis Layers From Hyperspectral Imagery, Torsten E. Howard
Abstracting Gis Layers From Hyperspectral Imagery, Torsten E. Howard
Theses and Dissertations
Modern warfare methods in the urban environment necessitates the use of multiple layers of sensors to manage the battle space. Hyperspectral imagers are one possible sensor modality to provide remotely sensed images that can be converted into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layers. GIS layers abstract knowledge of roads, buildings, and scene content and contain shape files that outline and highlight scene features. Creating shape files is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. The availability of shape files that reflect the current configuration of an area of interest significantly enhances Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace (IPB). The solution presented in this thesis …
The Roc Curves Of Fused Independent Classification Systems, Michael B. Walsh
The Roc Curves Of Fused Independent Classification Systems, Michael B. Walsh
Theses and Dissertations
The need for optimal target detection arises in many different fields. Due to the complexity of many targets, it is thought that the combination of multiple classification systems, which can be tuned to several individual target attributes or features, might lead to more optimal target detection performance. The ROC curves of fused independent two-label classification systems may be generated by the mathematical combination of their ROC curves to achieve optimal classifier performance without the need to test every Boolean combination. The monotonic combination of two-label independent classification systems which assign labels to the same target types results in a lattice …
A Wide Area Bipolar Cascade Resonant Cavity Light Emitting Diode For A Hybrid Range-Intensity, Reginald J. Turner
A Wide Area Bipolar Cascade Resonant Cavity Light Emitting Diode For A Hybrid Range-Intensity, Reginald J. Turner
Theses and Dissertations
This dissertation focused on the development of an illuminator for the HRIS. This illuminator enables faster image rendering and reduces the potential of errors in return signal data, that could be generated from extremely rough terrain. Four major achievements resulted from this work, which advance the field of 3-D image acquisition. The first is that the TJ is an effective current spreading layer for LEDs with mesa width up to 140 micrometers and current densities of approximately 1 x 106 Amp/square centimeter. The TJ allows fabrication of an efficient illuminator, with required geometry for the HRIS to operate as …
Hyperspectral-Augmented Target Tracking, Neil A. Soliman
Hyperspectral-Augmented Target Tracking, Neil A. Soliman
Theses and Dissertations
With the global war on terrorism, the nature of military warfare has changed significantly. The United States Air Force is at the forefront of research and development in the field of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance that provides American forces on the ground and in the air with the capability to seek, monitor, and destroy mobile terrorist targets in hostile territory. One such capability recognizes and persistently tracks multiple moving vehicles in complex, highly ambiguous urban environments. The thesis investigates the feasibility of augmenting a multiple-target tracking system with hyperspectral imagery. The research effort evaluates hyperspectral data classification using fuzzy c-means …
Phase Diversity And Polarization Augmented Techniques For Active Imaging, Peter M. Johnson
Phase Diversity And Polarization Augmented Techniques For Active Imaging, Peter M. Johnson
Theses and Dissertations
A multi-frame active phase diversity imaging (APDI) algorithm is derived for coherent light statistics and demonstrated. In addition to conventional focal-plane and diversity-plane data, a statistical description for pupil-plane (PP) intensity is formed and included in the derivation. The algorithm is implemented and characterized via Monte Carlo simulation. Analysis shows that it's robust, insensitive to detection noise for SNR ? 7, performs well for SNR's as low as 2, and that the effect of system configuration on optimal parameters is minimal. Furthermore, introduction of PP data results in a 60% better reconstruction from dynamically aberrated data than obtained using only …
Improved Hyperspectral Image Testing Using Synthetic Imagery And Factorial Designed Experiments, Joseph P. Bellucci
Improved Hyperspectral Image Testing Using Synthetic Imagery And Factorial Designed Experiments, Joseph P. Bellucci
Theses and Dissertations
The goal of any remote sensing system is to gather data about the geography it is imaging. In order to gain knowledge of the earth's landscape, post-processing algorithms are developed to extract information from the collected data. The algorithms can be intended to classify the various ground covers in a scene, identify specific targets of interest, or detect anomalies in an image. After the design of an algorithm comes the difficult task of testing and evaluating its performance. Traditionally, algorithms are tested using sets of extensively ground truthed test images. However, the lack of well characterized test data sets and …