A real-time processor for imaging through turbulence and other sub-optimal environments

John A. Cochrane; Steve Collier; Nigel Mitchell; Jon Shadforth

doi:10.1117/12.966837

30 October 2012 A real-time processor for imaging through turbulence and other sub-optimal environments

John A. Cochrane, Steve Collier, Nigel Mitchell, Jon Shadforth

Proceedings Volume 8546, Optics and Photonics for Counterterrorism, Crime Fighting, and Defence VIII; 85460M (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966837
Event: SPIE Security + Defence, 2012, Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Abstract

A real time processor package called IT4 is described, which has been developed to improve the quality of Imaging Through the 4 artefacts of sub-optimal surveillance (jitter, shimmer, contrast and noise). The package is able to operate on a wide range of video standards and can process imagery from the camera sensor directly or from previously recorded (movie file) sequences. The platform is currently a PC or a laptop but no other requirements such as special optics or camera hardware are necessary. IT4 removes both translational and rotational camera movement using a de-jitter algorithm and the image frames are analyzed to discriminate atmospheric shimmer from real image motion. The frames are then de-shimmered but any scene motion is accurately rendered. Sharpening and contrast options are available to the user to further improve visual quality and the contrast can be enhanced locally if so desired. IT4 improves fixed pattern noise in the image at all light levels and also reduces random noise, which is particularly useful during low light level image capture leading to better processing of both static and dynamic scenes.

Citation Download Citation

John A. Cochrane, Steve Collier, Nigel Mitchell, and Jon Shadforth "A real-time processor for imaging through turbulence and other sub-optimal environments", Proc. SPIE 8546, Optics and Photonics for Counterterrorism, Crime Fighting, and Defence VIII, 85460M (30 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.966837

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