Region of interest identification, feature extraction, and information fusion in a forward looking infrared sensor used in landmine detection

A forward looking infrared sensor used in conjunction with a vehicular based landmine detection system is described. The paper first describes the requirements for vehicularly-deployed forward-looking infrared sensors. This is followed by descriptions of the basic forward looking infrared sensor, its components and its integration to the vehicular platform. This is followed by a description of a novel method that is used to define regions of interest within the infrared images in real time. Next the specific features that are extracted from the infrared images that are used in target classification are provided. The paper then describes a fuzzy inference system that evaluates the extracted data features and generates a mine confidence value that is used for final declaration of potential targets as mines or clutter. Specific examples of attained performance both with and without the fuzzy inference system are provided to demonstrate the efficacy of the fuzzy inference system in evaluating data features and performing the classification. Lastly, the paper describes other areas where the described methods are being successfully applied.