Exploitation of Hyperspectral Infrared Imagery for Persistent Tracking

The proposed effort will implement modifications to the Adaptive Infrared Imaging Spectroradiometer (AIRIS), a long wavelength infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral imaging sensor developed by Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), to increase that sensor’s utility for long duration vehicle tracking in urban environments, collect and analyze field test data to support development of vehicle recognition algorithms, design passively-interrogated tagging agents to facilitate tracking by LWIR hyperspectral sensors, and develop a preliminary design for an AIRIS with spectral response to 13 ìm. Collection and analysis of field test data will address the effects of atmospheric and environmental characteristics as well as illumination changes on target signatures. Data analysis will also include development and implementation of algorithms to extract spectra of moving targets from AIRIS hyperspectral imagery, determination of the processing requirements for real-time signature extraction, and identification of options for real-time embedded processing architectures.