ACTIM: an EDA initiated study on spectral active imaging

Abstract

This paper will describe ongoing work from an EDA initiated study on Active Imaging with emphasis of using multi or broadband spectral lasers and receivers. Present laser based imaging and mapping systems are mostly based on a fixed frequency lasers. On the other hand great progress has recently occurred in passive multi-and hyperspectral imaging with applications ranging from environmental monitoring and geology to mapping, military surveillance, and reconnaissance. Data bases on spectral signatures allow the possibility to discriminate between different materials in the scene. Present multi-and hyperspectral sensors mainly operate in the visible and short wavelength region (0.4-2.5 μm) and rely on the solar radiation giving shortcoming due to shadows, clouds, illumination angles and lack of night operation. Active spectral imaging however will largely overcome these difficulties by a complete control of the illumination. Active illumination enables spectral night and low-light operation beside a robust way of obtaining polarization and high resolution 2D/3D information.Recent development of broadband lasers and advanced imaging 3D focal plane arrays has led to new opportunities for advanced spectral and polarization imaging with high range resolution. Fusing the knowledge of ladar and passive spectral imaging will result in new capabilities in the field of EO-sensing to be shown in the study. We will present an overview of technology, systems and applications for active spectral imaging and propose future activities in connection with some prioritized applications.

Measurements and analysis of active/passive multispectral imaging

“…Based on the results from the EDA OB study ACTIM 2010-11 [1,2,3], Onera (France), Fraunhofer-IOSB (Germany) and FOI (Sweden) have agreed upon the importance of live demonstrating the benefits of active imaging, and of multispectral active imaging, as a complement to passive imaging. Laser imaging offers a great number of capabilities like 3D imaging, penetration through fog, haze and smoke as well as preserving a high target to background contrast.…”

Artificial target detection with a hyperspectral LiDAR over 26-h measurement

“…[26][27][28] Active imaging applications have been widely studied over the previous decade, including detection through limited visibility (e.g., haze, dust, smoke), foliageand camouflage penetrating vision, and target detection and classification (Ref. 29 and references therein). However, these systems directly cannot provide the 3-D structure of the scene, which may limit target detection when targets are spatially mixed with the background.…”