ROCKET PLUME IMAGE SEQUENCE ENHANCEMENT USING 3D OPERATORS

Reported here are the results of tests of five 3D image operators in e leven configurations to determine which is best for the enhancement of image sequences of rocket plumes. The operators enhance images both f or visual inspection and for radiometric characterization. The tests u sed real and synthetic imagery to evaluate the operators under a varie ty of conditions. The results suggest the best choice of operator depe nds on the grayscale distribution of the noise in the image sequence. In terms of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), long duration median filters with moderate spatial support appear to work best overall. The results show that successful enhancement for visual inspection requires the o riginal image data to be remapped prior to filtering. This need not de stroy the radiometric information in the imagery. Some attributes of r ocket plume image time sequences and the noise in them are described. The remapping procedure is detailed and the operators tested are descr ibed. The methodology is explained and the results of the numerous tes ts on synthetic imagery are presented. The application of the procedur es to two real rocket plume image sequences is described.