Bae Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Eric M Louchard

Michael J DeWeert

Reid A Noguchi

Dugan C Yoon

David J Schorr

Will R Grigsby

Somit S Mathur

Joseph McGaughey

Gary Sawai

Mitchell J Nord

A system and method is provided to characterize optical properties (Scattering, attenuation, de-polarization) of a light-transmitting medium and local environment, by determining a scattering rate of light through a medium, wherein determining the scattering rate of light through the medium is accomplished by utilizing polarized light transmitted from an optical source. The system and method performs a function based on the characterized optical properties of the medium, wherein the function is one of, for example: detection of objects embedded in the medium, object ranging through the medium, or deblurring of images acquired through the medium.

System and method of utilizing polarized light for remote optical characterization of and through scattering media

Systems and methods for three-dimensional (3D) shape estimation of objects embedded in light-scattering media via polarimetry are provided. The systems and methods utilize polarization to exploit forward scattering in the light-scattering medium to mitigate backscatter interference (BSI).

Three-dimensional shape estimation of objects via polarimetry

A projectile detection technique is disclosed. The technique helps improve the self-defense capabilities of strategic platforms such as naval ships against asymmetric threats such as anti-ship missiles (ASMs). These threats can be particularly challenging in a highly cluttered maritime environment, where the threats can be too close for radar to accurately detect. In one example, the projectile detection technique automatically detects ASMs flying above the horizon by using mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and visible/near-infrared (VNIR) camera systems, and locating the horizon line and segmenting the imagery into different regions. Projectiles are detected in the near-horizon segment using a Fourier phase-only transform and convolution matched filters to enhance exceedances, then applying multi-frame processing to measure persistence and scintillation (e.g., flicker from missile exhaust) to help filter out background clutter objects. The use of the phase-only transform, matched filters, and multi-frame processing helps detect single-point anomalies and distinguish ASMs from background clutter.

Projectile detection system and method

Techniques are provided for detection, classification and tracking of surface contacts based on multispectral image data from sensors on maritime assets. An example system may include an anomaly detection circuit configured to detect an object based on anomalies in the variance of pixels of water surface image data. The system may also include an object motion tracking circuit configured to analyze motion of the object relative to water surface waves. The analysis may compensate for motion of the asset and sensors. The system may further include an object classification circuit configured to classify the object as an object of interest, based on the analyzed motion of the object, and as a threat, further based on size estimation, edge detection, surface texture analysis, and volume analysis. The range from the asset to the object may be estimated based on the relation of the object to a detected or estimated horizon line.

Detection, classification, and tracking of surface contacts for maritime assets

A method of detecting land mines includes pre-processing a raw laser interferometer image, processing pre-processed image by calculating one or more derivatives having one or more peaks, along vectors extending in at least two different directions, mapping the peaks of said derivatives to create a derivative map, and detecting an anomalous signature in the derivative map.

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Miami, FL, United States of America

Eric M Louchard