Autonomous Detection of Missile Targets Using Neromorphic M

Work to be performed in this program is based upon years of innovative technology development invested by personnel at Nova Research. Techniques proposed here are patterned after biological principles which, when applied to finding targets which are moving against highly cluttered infrared backgrounds, will be shown to exhibit remarkable performance. Such techniques produce highly superior results as compared to more conventional digital techniques, and may be performed by miniature integrated circuits that are closely coupled to infrared focal plane arrays. Modern infrared detection technology coupled with these massively parallel analog coprocessor devices will usher in the next generation of miniature seekers to be used to satisfy requirements of the national defense. This proposal outlines a program which combines advanced multiple quantum well detector technology developed at Northwestern University with the biologically-inspired massively parallel analog coprocessor technology developed by Nova Research to find targets which have signal-to-clutter ratios less than unity. The operational flexibility and cost effectiveness expected using this approach will lead to the development of numerous commercially viable products.