Three-Dimensional (3D) Scene Representation for Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)

The fundamental issue for automatic battle damage assessment (BDA) is to detect scene change. Two- dimensional (2D) image registration schemes and three-dimensional (3D) scene modeling provide two alternate approaches. While the former approach deals directly with raw image data that is affected by sensor geometry, illuminance, and surface reflectivity, the latter builds an abstract 3D geometric model that is difficult to compute. ORINCON proposes a unique 3D model that does not require expensive computation and at the same time incorporates the textural and photometric properties of the raw image for scene representation. The model is composed of an elevation map that provides a single height at grids and a symbolic map that interprets the visual features of main scene components. By overlaying one on top of the other, scene change can be detected in a reliable manner. In Phase I, ORINCON will perform a feasibility study of the construction of both maps, the effects of sensor geometry on the accuracy of the maps, and the achievable performance of the automatic battle damage assessment (ABDA) system based upon the proposed modeling technique. The applicability of the proposed 3D scene model will be demonstrated using stereo camera data, or customer-provided data, at the end of Phase I. The issues involved with software and hardware integration will be investigated in the optional phase. The prototype of the ABDA system will be developed and implemented on a scalable, multisensor architecture in Phase II.