Automated Terrain Feature Characterization for Signature Modeling

High-fidelity representation of terrain morphology is a critical requirement for accurate modeling and generation of infrared background scenes. The current state of the art in terrain representation for missile seeker systems and other military applications is based on digital elevation models, which are relatively coarse in resolution and have smooth contours that do not resolve the presence of discrete surface transitions and undulations. Consequently, the resulting generated scenes fail to capture the effects of medium-length scale non-horizontal terrain features such as ditches, gulches, washes, and road shoulders. To address this need, Creare proposes to develop a high-fidelity terrain signature modeling framework. This framework will account for the presence of medium-length scale non-horizontal terrain features in simulated infrared scenes, through physics-based modeling of thermal effects and radiative emissions.