Real-Time 3D Ladar Imaging

A prototype image processing system has recently been developed which generates, displays and analyzes three-dimensional ladar data in real time. It is based upon a suite of novel algorithms that transform raw ladar data into cleaned 3D images. These algorithms perform noise reduction, ground plane identification, detector response deconvolution and illumination pattern renormalization. The system also discriminates static from dynamic objects in a scene. In order to achieve real-time throughput, we have parallelized these algorithms on a Linux cluster. We demonstrate that multiprocessor software plus Blade hardware result in a compact, real-time imagery generation adjunct to an operating ladar.