Simulation of Round-the-Clock Polarization-based Target Discrimination by an Airborne Sensor from .4 to 14 microns

"In response to this Phase I topic, Planning Systems Incorporated (PSI) proposes the development of physics-based algorithms to characterize the effects of the environment on polarization-based imagery collected by an airborne platform over a 24-hour periodanywhere in the world, and the development of interactive simulation tools to test these algorithms. A backwards raytrace technique, capable of creating photorealistic simulations, will be used to model the polarized spectral imagery recorded by asimulated array of "mini-sensors" in the imaging plane. The polarized skylight distribution incident on the scene and imager will be modeled using a state-of-the-art Monte Carlo technique developed by Texas A&M University. PSI will leverage proprietaryalgorithms that simulate the effect of important environmental phenomena such as forward scattering and turbulence, which were previously developed for use with unpolarized imagery. PSI will also apply previously developed techniques that create a surfacetopology with user-selected spatial correlation statistics. By simulating the approach of an airborne imager from any angle at any time of day, developed algorithms will be directly useful in determining military approach scenarios for optimal targetdetection/discrimination. Direct follow-on commercial applications include improved airborne monitoring of agricultural/forestry crops and enhanced airborne identification of illicit crops. The p