RESTORATION AND RANGE PERFORMANCE IN FLIR IMAGING-SYSTEMS

Image restoration of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imagery has the p otential to significantly improve the quality of images used by an aut omatic target recognizer (ATR) or human observer. This study investiga tes the feasibility of real-time image restoration algorithms and the problem of measuring image quality as it relates to target acquisition performance. This paper describes a technique for deriving small kern el filters that efficiently restore and reconstruct. Subject to implem entation constraints associated with efficient application, the filter s optimize image fidelity to an 'ideal' close-range image, The paper d escribes simulation experiments employing an end-re-end imaging system model, experiments with actual images using a model-based characteriz ation of an actual imaging system, and simulation experiments that ill ustrate the utility of the system model and filtering in FLIR imaging system design. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.