Hidden Markov Models for Sensor Fusion of EMI and GRP

Abstract

Paul Gader, Principal InvestigatorStatement of problem studied. An investigation of hidden Markov models (HMMs) as a means of processing Ground Penetrating Radar signals for discrimination between anti-tank (AT) and antipersonnel (AP) landmines and discrete clutter objects was conducted. Hidden Markov models had been used successfully previously in AT landmine detection with GPR but had not been used as a discriminant between mines and clutter nor had they been used on AP mines. Experiments were conducted on data collected at the JUXOCO calibration grid. Summary of the most important results.Continuous and discrete HMMs were trained and tested and evaluated on the grid using both the Baum-Welch and discriminative training algorithms. Experimental results suggest that discriminative training algorithms should be used for training HMMs for landmine detection, fusion of continuous and discrete models provided improved performance, and that, although HMMs with the existing feature sets perform well for detection of AT mines, new feature sets should be developed for discriminating between mines and clutter objects.