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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Computer Aided Multi-Data Fusion Dismount Modeling, Juan L. Morales Mar 2012

Computer Aided Multi-Data Fusion Dismount Modeling, Juan L. Morales

Theses and Dissertations

Recent research efforts strive to address the growing need for dismount surveillance, dismount tracking and characterization. Current work in this area utilizes hyperspectral and multispectral imaging systems to exploit spectral properties in order to detect areas of exposed skin and clothing characteristics. Because of the large bandwidth and high resolution, hyperspectral imaging systems pose great ability to characterize and detect dismounts. A multi-data dismount modeling system where the development and manipulation of dismount models is a necessity. This thesis demonstrates a computer aided multi-data fused dismount model, which facilitates studies of dismount detection, characterization and identification. The system is created …


Covariance Analysis Of Vision Aided Navigation By Bootstrapping, Andrew L. Relyea Mar 2012

Covariance Analysis Of Vision Aided Navigation By Bootstrapping, Andrew L. Relyea

Theses and Dissertations

Inertial Navigation System (INS) aiding using bearing measurements taken over time of stationary ground features is investigated. A cross country flight, in two and three dimensional space, is considered, as well as a vertical drop in three dimensional space. The objective is to quantify the temporal development of the uncertainty in the navigation states of an aircraft INS which is aided by taking bearing measurements of ground objects which have been geolocated using ownship position. It is shown that during wings level flight at constant speed and a fixed altitude, an aircraft that tracks ground objects and over time sequentially …


An Integrity Framework For Image-Based Navigation Systems, Craig D. Larson Jun 2010

An Integrity Framework For Image-Based Navigation Systems, Craig D. Larson

Theses and Dissertations

This work first examines fundamental differences between measurement models established for GPS and those of proposed image-based navigation systems. In contrast to single value per satellite GPS pseudorange measurements, image measurements are inherently angle-based and represent pixel coordinate pairs for each mapped target. Thus, in the image-based case, special consideration must be given to the units of the transformations between the states and measurements, and also to the fact that multiple rows of the observation matrix relate to particular error states. An algorithm is developed to instantiate a framework for image-based integrity analogous to that of GPS RAIM. The algorithm …


Development And Evaluation Of A Multistatic Ultrawideband Random Noise Radar, Matthew E. Nelms Mar 2010

Development And Evaluation Of A Multistatic Ultrawideband Random Noise Radar, Matthew E. Nelms

Theses and Dissertations

This research studies the AFIT noise network (NoNET) radar node design and the feasibility in processing the bistatic channel information of a cluster of widely distributed noise radar nodes. A system characterization is used to predict theoretical localization performance metrics. Design and integration of a distributed and central signal and data processing architecture enables the Matlab®-driven signal data acquisition, digital processing and multi-sensor image fusion. Experimental evaluation of the monostatic localization performance reveals its range measurement error standard deviation is 4.8 cm with a range resolution of 87.2(±5.9) cm. The 16-channel multistatic solution results in a 2-dimensional localization error of …


Preliminary Electrical Designs For Ctex And Afit Satellite Ground Station, Arthur L. Morse Mar 2010

Preliminary Electrical Designs For Ctex And Afit Satellite Ground Station, Arthur L. Morse

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis outlines the design of the electrical components for the space-based ChromoTomography Experiment (CTEx). CTEx is the next step in the development of high-speed chromotomography at the Air Force Institute of Technology. The electrical design of the system is challenging due to the large amount of data that is acquired by the imager and the limited resources that is inherent with space-based systems. Additional complication to the design is the need to know the angle of a spinning prism that is in the field of view very precisely for each image. Without this precise measurement any scene that is …


An Engineering Trade Space Analysis For A Space-Based Hyperspectral Chromotomographic Scanner, Phillip Sheirich Mar 2009

An Engineering Trade Space Analysis For A Space-Based Hyperspectral Chromotomographic Scanner, Phillip Sheirich

Theses and Dissertations

Hyperspectroscopy for fast transient events such as battlefield explosions is an undeveloped area of spectral imaging. This thesis is a discussion of issues involved with taking a laboratory design for a rotating prism hyperspectral chromotomographic (CT) instrument and producing a first approximation satellite payload design, operating scheme and trade space analysis to support demonstration of this technology in low-earth orbit. This instrument promises the capability of adding a time dimension to the normal spatial and spectral data produced by most hyperspectral imagers. The ultimate goal is to conduct experiments demonstrating the ultimate viability of spectral definition of transient combustion events …


Using Multiple Robust Parameter Design Techniques To Improve Hyperspectral Anomaly Detection Algorithm Performance, Matthew T. Davis Mar 2009

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 Mar 2009

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 …


Utilizing Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Micro-Shutter Designs For Adaptive Coded Aperture Imaging (Acai) Technologies, Mary M. Ledet Mar 2009

Utilizing Microelectromechanical Systems (Mems) Micro-Shutter Designs For Adaptive Coded Aperture Imaging (Acai) Technologies, Mary M. Ledet

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force has long relied on surveillance for intelligence and strategic purposes. Most surveillance systems rely on a lensing system to acquire their images, most of which are in either the visible or infrared wavelengths. Because lensing systems can be expensive, obtrusive, or hard to maintain, researchers have designed adaptive coded aperture imaging (ACAI) as a replacement system. Coded aperture imaging (CAI) has been used in both the astronomical and medical communities for years due to its ability to image light at short wavelengths and thus replacing conventional lenses. Where CAI is limited, researchers have discovered that adaptive coded …


Tightly Integrating Optical And Inertial Sensors For Navigation Using The Ukf, Sedat Ebcin Mar 2008

Tightly Integrating Optical And Inertial Sensors For Navigation Using The Ukf, Sedat Ebcin

Theses and Dissertations

The motivation of this research is to address the benefits of tightly integrating optical and inertial sensors where GNSS signals are not available. The research begins with describing the navigation problem. Then, error and measurement models are presented. Given a set of features, a feature detection and projection algorithm is developed which utilizes inertial measurements to predict vectors in the feature space between images. The unscented Kalman filter is applied to the navigation system using the inertial measurements and feature matches to estimate the navigation trajectory. Finally, the image-aided navigation algorithm is tested using a simulation and an experiment. As …


Hyperspectral-Augmented Target Tracking, Neil A. Soliman Mar 2008

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 …


Polarimeter Blind Deconvolution Using Image Diversity, David M. Strong Sep 2007

Polarimeter Blind Deconvolution Using Image Diversity, David M. Strong

Theses and Dissertations

This research presents an algorithm that improves the ability to view objects using an electro-optical imaging system with at least one polarization sensitive channel in addition to the primary channel. An innovative algorithm for detection and estimation of the defocus aberration present in an image is also developed. Using a known defocus aberration, an iterative polarimeter deconvolution algorithm is developed using a generalized expectation-maximization (GEM) model. The polarimeter deconvolution algorithm is extended to an iterative polarimeter multiframe blind deconvolution (PMFBD) algorithm with an unknown aberration. Using both simulated and laboratory images, the results of the new PMFBD algorithm clearly outperforms …


Modeling, Simulation, And Estimation Of Optical Turbulence, Byron P. Formwalt Mar 2007

Modeling, Simulation, And Estimation Of Optical Turbulence, Byron P. Formwalt

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation documents three new contributions to simulation and modeling of optical turbulence. The first contribution is the formalization, optimization, and validation of a modeling technique called successively conditioned rendering (SCR). The SCR technique is empirically validated by comparing the statistical error of random phase screens generated with the technique. The second contribution is the derivation of the covariance delineation theorem, which provides theoretical bounds on the error associated with SCR. It is shown empirically that the theoretical bound may be used to predict relative algorithm performance. Therefore, the covariance delineation theorem is a powerful tool for optimizing SCR algorithms. …


Robust Estimation Of Mahalanobis Distance In Hyperspectral Images, Eduardo C. Meidunas Dec 2006

Robust Estimation Of Mahalanobis Distance In Hyperspectral Images, Eduardo C. Meidunas

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation develops new estimation methods that fit Johnson distributions and generalized Pareto distributions to hyperspectral Mahalanobis distances. The Johnson distribution fit is optimized using a new method which monitors the second derivative behavior of exceedance probability to mitigate potential outlier effects. This univariate distribution is then used to derive an elliptically contoured multivariate density model for the pixel data. The generalized Pareto distribution models are optimized by a new two-pass method that estimates the tail-index parameter. This method minimizes the mean squared fitting error by correcting parameter values using data distance information from an initial pass. A unique method …


Multiframe Shift Estimation, Stephen A. Bruckart Mar 2006

Multiframe Shift Estimation, Stephen A. Bruckart

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop a fundamental framework for a new approach to multiframe translational shift estimation in image processing. This thesis sought to create a new multiframe shift estimator, to theoretically prove and experimentally test key properties of it, and to quantify its performance according to several metrics. The new estimator was modeled successfully and was proven to be an unbiased estimator under certain common image noise conditions. Furthermore its performance was shown to be superior to the cross correlation shift estimator, a robust estimator widely used in similar image processing cases, according to several criteria. …


Reconstruction Of Chromotomographic Imaging System Infrared Hyperspectral Scenes, Malcolm G. Gould Mar 2005

Reconstruction Of Chromotomographic Imaging System Infrared Hyperspectral Scenes, Malcolm G. Gould

Theses and Dissertations

Hyperspectral imagery providing both spatial and spectral information has diverse applications in remote sensing and scientific imaging scenarios. The development of the Chromotomographic Imaging System (CTIS) allows simultaneous collection of both spatial and spectral data by a two-dimensional (2D) focal plane detector array. Post-processing of the 2D detector data reconstructs the three-dimensional (3D) hyperspectral content of the imaged scene. This thesis develops Estimation Theory based algorithms for reconstructing the hyperspectral scene data. The initial algorithm developed reconstructs the 3D hyperspectral scene data cube. An additional algorithm reconstructs a matrix comprised of one spectral dimension and one compound spatial dimension. This …


Commercial Regional Space/Airborne Imaging, Ugur Akyazi, Ali Durmus, Birce Boga Bakirli, Arif Arin Mar 2002

Commercial Regional Space/Airborne Imaging, Ugur Akyazi, Ali Durmus, Birce Boga Bakirli, Arif Arin

Theses and Dissertations

In this work goal programming is used to solve a minimum cost multicommodity network flow problem with multiple goals. A single telecommunication network with multiple commodities (e.g., voice, video, data, etc.) flowing over it is analyzed. This network consists of: linear objective function, linear cost arcs, fixed capacities, specific origin-destination pairs for each commodity. A multicommodity network flow problem with goals can be successfully modeled using linear goal programming techniques. When properly modeled, network flow techniques may be employed to exploit the pure network structure of a multicommodity network flow problem with goals. Lagrangian relaxation captures the essence of the …


Optimization Considerations For Adaptive Optics Digital Imagery Systems, Robert T. Brigantic Jun 1997

Optimization Considerations For Adaptive Optics Digital Imagery Systems, Robert T. Brigantic

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation had three objectives. The first objective was to develop image quality metrics that characterize Adaptive Optics System (AOS) performance. The second objective was to delineate control settings that maximize AOS performance. The third objective was to identify and characterize trade-offs between fully and partially compensated adaptive. For the first objective, three candidate image quality metrics were considered: the Strehl ratio, a novel metric that modifies the Strehl ratio by integrating the modulus of the average system optical transfer function to a 'noise-effective-cutoff' frequency at which some specified image spectrum signal-to-noise-ratio level is attained, and the noise-effective-cutoff frequency. It …


Compensated Deconvolution From Wavefront Sensing, Lori A. Thorson Dec 1994

Compensated Deconvolution From Wavefront Sensing, Lori A. Thorson

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. Air Force has a continuing mission to obtain imagery of earth-orbiting objects. One of the means for obtaining this imagery is through the use of ground-based observatories. A fundamental problem associated with imaging objects through the atmosphere is that atmospheric turbulence inflicts a large, random aberration on the telescope which effectively limits the realizable resolution to that of a much smaller telescope. Several approaches have been taken to overcome these effects including pure post processing, pure adaptive optics, and hybrid techniques involving both adaptive optics and image post processing. One key result from past approaches is that partially …