CAREER: Statistical modeling and real-time correction of nonuniformity in array sensors

该学院早期职业发展（Career）计划奖的研究部分是解决用于卫星成像、空中监视和侦察、天文成像和目标识别的红外和激光成像系统中图像退化的实时校正问题。所考虑的退化类型是由于阵列传感器的非理想特性和大气湍流。阵列传感器响应的时空不均匀性是影响其性能的主要因素。本研究采用了一种统计实时校正方法，避免了需要昂贵的基于校准的校正技术，这种校正技术需要相机在校准期间远离目标。采用基于模型的统计方法进行非均匀性校正，适用于恢复大气湍流退化的图像。在存在量子噪声的情况下，确定给定系统所需的最佳曝光时间（或帧数）的基本问题也得到了解决。在本研究中开发的算法将通过研究者与政府和行业的合作努力在实际系统中实施。本研究的教育部分包括旨在激励和激励本科工程专业学生的活动，并加强代顿地区研究生研究所（DAGSI）计划的结构，该计划是代顿地区高等教育系统的重要组成部分。这些教育活动包括：(1)通过改进现有的某些工程课程，向本科生和研究生展示实际研究成果；(2)通过互动视频网络向九所本地高等教育机构和DAGSI计划提供定期研讨会；(3)透过与本地业界及政府实验室合作，加强学生的实践训练；(4)在本科教学中积极调动研究助理参与本研究。

The research component of this Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program Award is addressing the problem of real-time correction of image degradation in infrared and laser imaging systems used in satellite imaging, aerial surveillance and reconnaissance, astronomical imaging, and target recognition. The types of degradation considered are due to the non-ideal characteristics of array sensors and atmospheric turbulence. The most limiting degradation in the performance of array sensors arises from the spatial and temporal nonuniformities in the sensors' responses. This research employs a statistical real-time-correction approach that avoids the need for costly calibration-based correction techniques that require the camera to steer away from the target for the duration of the calibration. The model-based statistical approach undertaken for nonuniformity correction is adapted to restore images degraded by atmospheric turbulence. The fundamental question of determining the optimal exposure time (or number of frames) needed for a given system in the presence of quantum noise is also being addressed. The algorithms developed in this research will be implemented in real systems through the investigator's collaborative efforts with the government and industry. The educational component of this research includes activities designed to motivate and excite undergraduate engineering students and strengthen the structure of the Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute (DAGSI) Program that is a vital component of the Dayton-Area higher education system. These educational activities include: (1) demonstrating the practical research findings to undergraduate and graduate students by improving certain existing engineering courses; (2) offering periodical seminars available to nine local higher- education institutions and the DAGSI program through an interactive video network; (3) enhancing the practical training of students through collaboration with the local industry an d government laboratory; and, (4) actively involving the research assistants in this research in undergraduate education.