Development of a Tool for Semi-Automated Restoration of Vehicle-Sized Thermal Clutter in Topographic Heightfields Arising from Terrain Discontinuities

Complex electro-optic, background and target, wide area scene simulations are required for development, test, and evaluation of missile seeker systems. Developing simulations of specific test ranges and geographical locations begins with topographic height fields collected by on-site, aerial, or satellite surveys. The height fields are discretized data set so terrain features that result in vehicle sized clutter are not resolved. In the Phase I effort we demonstrated restoration of steep sided terrain features that are associated with washes and arroyos. We used a hydraulic erosion algorithm to restore these features. We also demonstrated two-dimensional meshing and heat transfer solutions required to support these features. In our Phase II effort we are proposing development and refinement of software tools to restore a wider spectrum of features. These tools will give the user the capability to easily create terrain thermal clutter features such as ditches, roads, berms, and bunkers. We will implement two and three-dimensional heat transfer solutions where needed. We are also proposing adapt the hydraulic erosion algorithms in order to estimate vertical soil moisture gradient fractions. We will incorporate soil moisture diffusion algorithms and conductivity sensitivity to moisture with the heat transfer equations to obtain accurate estimates of soil temperatures.