Automated Detection and Location of Mines using Sensor Fusion

Mine detection technology has not kept pace with the the advances in mine technology and the widespread proliferation of mine usage. The mine/minefield detection problem is complicated by numerous variables which. influence the process. Thus, solutions to problems such as the robust mine detection sensors and algorithms requires a fundamental understanding of information fusion as applied to automatic target recognition. Scientific Systems Company (SSC) and Nichols Research Corporation (NRC) have developed a number of pioneering state-of-the-art algorithms for Automated Target Recognition (ATR) and sensor fusion. The objective of Phase I is to develop an ATR system for mines using information fusion, called the Enhanced Maximum Likelihood Adaptive Neural System (EMLANS). The system will use superresolution and segmentation algorithms developed at SSC as a front end for NRC's MLANS for both defense and commercial applications. Specific Phase I tasks are. (1) Literature Search (2) Acquire real and simulated multi sensor data (passive IR, passive MMW, laser radar, and SAR) using NRC's Mine Image Synthesis Tool (MIST). (3) Develop Enhanced MLANS using superresolution and segmentation algorithms as pre-processors to the MLANS. (4) Develop and refine the feature extraction for use by EMLANS. (5) Test and evaluate the EMLANS on MIST data. (6) Statistical charaterization of ATR performance error. (7) Final report and Phase II recommendations. Phase II will include development of hardware/software demonstration systems and testing on real data. NRC will provide support in the areas of simulation, sensor fusion and commercialization of the SBIR results. Automatic Target Detection and Recognition (ATD/R) is one of the key technologies for global surveillance, precision strike, air superiority and defense. Commercial applications of advanced ATD/R systems exist in several areas such as: biometric identification, industrial inspection including web inspection, discrete part manufacturing, electronic assembly etc., medical screening and diagnosis, failure detection and identification, and remote sensing.