Advanced Real-Time Data Fusion System

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking innovative sensor fusion algorithms and software/hardware systems for target acquisition, tracking, and discrimination in a cluttered environment. The goal is to develop a real-time fusion system that providesaccurate data from disparate ground-based midcourse sensors to targeting systems. To meet MDA requirements, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a unique and innovative Advanced Real-Time Data Fusion System (ART-DFS) to perform spatialand temporal data registration, real-time data processing and communication, and online sensor calibration. ART-DFS will have three major components: a data fusion algorithm, data fusion hardware, and real-time system monitoring software. The datafusion algorithm consists of modules for spatial and temporal data fusion, which will interact to compensate and calibrate the sensor data in real time to produce accurate data. Spatial and temporal registration of the sensors will be achieved through anaccurate self-calibrating systematic approach. Image processing hardware will be built to achieve real-time performance. Real-time system monitoring software will manage target information online. In Phase I, an ART-DFS prototype will be developed todemonstrate the feasibility of the concept. Phase II will focus on building an engineering prototype to work in real time in a high clutter environment. The proposed ART-DFS technology will enhance radar, lidar, and infrared target recognition anddetection with real-time sensing, including day or night reconnaissance, surveillance, mine detection, and targeting in complex environments. The improvements in ATR and target detection/identification made possible by ART-DFS will have numerousapplications in drug interdiction, air traffic control, industrial inspection, and manufacturing automation. ART-DFS will also have a wide range of applications in real-time imaging, machine vision, robotics, telemedicine, object recognition,telesurveillance, spectral medical imaging, remote sensing, and medicine.