Real-Time, Super Resolution Pixon Processing for MDA Kill Vehicles

We propose to implement image-processing algorithms that greatly enhance sensitivity, tracking accuracy, and resolution of closely spaced objects (CSOs) in real-time missile-guidance systems. These enhancements are accomplished without prior knowledge of the number and composition of the targets within a CSO cluster. The proposed capabilities are relevant to the MDA EKV program and are complementary to and synergistic with competing approaches for separating CSO targets. The algorithms are based upon our proprietary Quick Pixon method, already implemented in real-time hardware and demonstrated to increase resolution by up to a factor of two and decrease background noise by a factor of six. The program will build on an independent Phase II program we hope to begin in 2004; it concerns re-configuration of our existing Quick Pixon hardware into an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). In this project, we propose to add to the latter device full-color capability and to provide for processing of EO-sensor outputs as large as 2048 x 2048 pixels. Phase II would offer sufficient resources to actually produce ASICs without further funding. By conclusion of Phase II, compact low-power devices will be available for implementation into MDA systems.