Demonstration of improved automatic target-recognition performance by moment analysis of correlation peaks

We report the results of experimental tests of an optical-correlator-based automatic target recognition (ATR) system that uses the correlation-peak mo ment analysis technique of Caprari [Appl. Opt. 38, 1317 (1999)] to assist i n discrimination between target and clutter peaks. The ATR system and its o peration are briefly described with particular attention devoted to a pract ical scheme for enhancing the basic ATR system with correlation-peak moment detectors. We investigate the Variation of detection and false-alarm rates of moment detectors with moment threshold values. For fixed moment thresho lds, we present receiver operating characteristics of both basic and enhanc ed systems as the conventionally used correlation-peak energy threshold is varied. Results demonstrate that correlation-peak moment analysis materiall y improves ATR system target-detection performance. (C) 1999 Optical Societ y of America. OCIS codes: 070.4550, 070.5010, 070.6110, 070.1170.