An algorithm for detection of moving optical targets

Author

Pohlig, Stephen C.

Author_Institution

Lincoln MIT Lab., Lexington, MA, USA

Volume

25

Issue

1

fYear

1989

fDate

1/1/1989 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

56

Lastpage

63

Abstract

An algorithm is described for detecting moving optical targets against spatially nonstationary Poisson background and noise. The algorithm has applications in optical detection of objects such as meteors, asteroids, and satellites against a stellar background. A maximum-likelihood approach is used which results in reducing interference from stars. It is shown that by choosing a detection threshold to provide a constant false alarm rate, the resulting algorithm is independent of the signal strength of the target. An analysis of this algorithm is presented, showing the probability of detection for several false-alarm rates

Keywords

astronomical techniques; astronomy computing; interference suppression; optical information processing; signal detection; asteroids; astronomical technique; constant false alarm rate; detection threshold; maximum-likelihood approach; meteors; moving optical targets; noise; optical detection; probability of detection; satellites; spatially nonstationary Poisson background; stellar background; Background noise; Charge coupled devices; Charge-coupled image sensors; Filtering; Interference; Object detection; Optical detectors; Optical noise; Optical sensors; Sensor arrays;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Aerospace and Electronic Systems, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0018-9251

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/7.18661

Filename

18661