Dr. John E. McFee Profile

Dr. John E. McFee

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (49)

Proceedings Article | 21 May 2015 Paper

Design and validation of inert homemade explosive simulants for ground penetrating radar

Brian VanderGaast, John McFee, Kevin Russell, Anthony Faust

Proceedings Volume 9454, 945412 (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2175586

KEYWORDS: Explosives, Waveguides, General packet radio service, Improvised explosive devices, Electromagnetism, Calibration, Ground penetrating radar, Land mines, Aluminum, Target detection

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Proceedings Article | 7 June 2013 Paper

Comparison of broadband and hyperspectral thermal infrared imaging of buried threat objects

John McFee, Steve Achal, Alejandra Diaz, Anthony Faust

Proceedings Volume 8709, 870916 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2016790

KEYWORDS: Imaging systems, Hyperspectral imaging, Soil science, Infrared imaging, Land mines, Improvised explosive devices, Thermography, Temperature metrology, Environmental sensing, Infrared radiation

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Proceedings Article | 11 May 2012 Paper

Feasibility of culvert IED detection using thermal neutron activation

Anthony Faust, John McFee, Edward T. Clifford, Hugh Robert Andrews, Cristian Mosquera, William Roberts

Proceedings Volume 8357, 83570W (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.917051

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Explosives, Target detection, Improvised explosive devices, Land mines, Explosives detection, Nitrogen, Improvised explosive device detection, Signal detection, Defense and security

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Proceedings Article | 11 May 2012 Paper

Improved thermal neutron activation sensor for detection of bulk explosives

John McFee, Anthony Faust, H. Robert Andrews, Edward Clifford, Cristian Mosquera

Proceedings Volume 8357, 83570V (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.917048

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Head, Land mines, Nitrogen, Gamma radiation, Scintillators, Mining, Explosives, Calibration, Explosives detection

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Proceedings Article | 13 October 2011 Paper

BioSense/SR-BioSpectra demonstrations of wide area/early warning for bioaerosol threats: program description and early test and evaluation results

Jean-Robert Simard, Sylvie Buteau, Pierre Lahaie, Pierre Mathieu, Gilles Roy, Denis Nadeau, John McFee, Jim Ho, Susan Rowsell, Nicolas Ho, François Babin, Daniel Cantin, Dave Healey, Jennifer Robinson, Scott Wood, Jack Hsu

Proceedings Volume 8189, 81890E (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.894631

KEYWORDS: LIDAR, Aerosols, Laser induced fluorescence, Clouds, Calibration, Defense and security, Scattering, Atmospheric modeling, Sensors, Surveillance

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Proceedings Article | 23 May 2011 Paper

Observations on military exploitation of explosives detection technologies

Anthony Faust, C. de Ruiter, Anneli Ehlerding, John McFee, Eirik Svinsås, Arthur van Rheenen

Proceedings Volume 8017, 801716 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.886391

KEYWORDS: Explosives, Explosives detection, Sensors, Improvised explosive devices, Defense and security, Target detection, Land mines, Terahertz radiation, Information security, Standoff detection

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Proceedings Article | 23 May 2011 Paper

Defence Research and Development Canada: Suffield research on nuclear methods for detection of buried bulk explosives

John McFee, Anthony Faust

Proceedings Volume 8017, 801714 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.883321

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Explosives, Imaging systems, Land mines, Gamma radiation, Backscatter, Improvised explosive devices, Spectroscopy, Carbon, Explosives detection

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Proceedings Article | 5 May 2010 Paper

Short-range lidar for bioagent detection and classification

Nicolas Hô, Frédéric Émond, François Babin, Dave Healy, Jean-Robert Simard, Sylvie Buteau, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 7665, 76650A (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.849722

KEYWORDS: Luminescence, Prototyping, Sensors, Aerosols, Databases, LIDAR, Head, Surveillance, Data acquisition, Pulsed laser operation

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Proceedings Article | 29 April 2010 Paper

Feasibility of bulk explosives detection using photoneutron spectroscopy

John McFee, Anthony Faust, Kyle Pastor

Proceedings Volume 7664, 76641I (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.849533

KEYWORDS: Gamma radiation, Photons, Spectroscopy, Explosives, Sensors, Explosives detection, Modeling, Photodetectors, Scattering, Ionization

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Proceedings Article | 5 May 2009 Paper

Detection and dispersal of explosives by ants

John McFee, Steve Achal, Anthony Faust, Eldon Puckrin, Andrew House, Damon Reynolds, William McDougall, Adam Asquini

Proceedings Volume 7303, 730302 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.820232

KEYWORDS: Explosives, Land mines, Improvised explosive devices, Imaging systems, Explosives detection, Infrared imaging, Hyperspectral imaging, Thermography, Infrared radiation, Short wave infrared radiation

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Proceedings Article | 29 April 2008 Paper

Electrical impedance tomography for underwater detection of buried mines

Gail Bouchette, Stéphane Gagnon, Philip Church, Tim Luu, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 6953, 69530O (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.775546

KEYWORDS: Electrodes, Land mines, Data acquisition, Target detection, Tomography, Sensors, Environmental sensing, Submerged target detection, Reconstruction algorithms, Signal detection

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Proceedings Article | 29 April 2008 Paper

High definition impedance imaging for mines and tunnels

A. Wexler, Patrick O'Connor, J. McFee

Proceedings Volume 6953, 695306 (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.777668

KEYWORDS: Electrodes, Chemical elements, Matrices, Land mines, 3D image processing, Image enhancement, Image restoration, Mining, Reconstruction algorithms, 3D modeling

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Proceedings Article | 25 September 2007 Paper

Spectrally resolved laser-induced fluorescence for bioaerosols standoff detection

Sylvie Buteau, Laurie Stadnyk, Susan Rowsell, Jean-Robert Simard, Jim Ho, Bernard Déry, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 6756, 675608 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.732389

KEYWORDS: Clouds, Laser induced fluorescence, Sensors, Aerosols, Atmospheric particles, Luminescence, Signal detection, Standoff detection, Defense and security, LIDAR

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An efficient standoff biological warfare detection capability could become an important asset for both defence and security communities based on the increasing biological threat and the limits of the presently existing protection systems. Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) has developed, by the end of the 90s, a standoff bioaerosol sensor prototype based on intensified range-gated spectrometric detection of Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF). This LIDAR system named SINBAHD monitors the spectrally resolved LIF originating from inelastic interactions with bioaerosols present in atmospheric cells customizable in size and in range. SINBAHD has demonstrated the capability of near real-time detection and classification of bioaerosolized threats at multi-kilometre ranges. In spring 2005, DRDC has initiated the BioSense demonstration project, which combines the SINBAHD technology with a geo-referenced Near InfraRed (NIR) LIDAR cloud mapper. SINBAHD is now being used to acquire more signatures to add in the spectral library and also to optimize and test the new BioSense algorithm strategy. In September 2006, SINBAHD has participated in a two-week trial held at DRDC-Suffield where different open-air wet releases of live and killed bioagent simulants, growth media and obscurants were performed. An autoclave killing procedure was performed on two biological materials (Bacillus subtilis var globigii or BG, and Bacillus thuringiensis or Bt) before being aerosolized, disseminated and spectrally characterized with SINBAHD. The obtained results showed no significant impact of this killing process on their normalised spectral signature in comparison with their live counterparts. Correlation between the detection signals from SINBAHD, an array of slit samplers and a FLuorescent Aerosol Particle Sensor (C-FLAPS) was obtained and SINBAHD's sensitivity could then be estimated. At the 2006 trial, a detection limit of a few tens of Agent Containing Particles per Liter of Air (ACPLA) was obtained for a 15-m thick cloud of live BG located at a range of 400 m.

Proceedings Article | 7 May 2007 Paper

Real-time airborne hyperspectral imaging of land mines

Tyler Ivanco, Steve Achal, John McFee, Cliff Anger, Jane Young

Proceedings Volume 6553, 655315 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.720442

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Imaging systems, Data acquisition, Hyperspectral imaging, Data storage, Infrared imaging, Infrared radiation, Image processing, Thermography, Sensors

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Proceedings Article | 7 May 2007 Paper

A thermal infrared hyperspectral imager (tasi) for buried landmine detection

Steve Achal, John McFee, Tyler Ivanco, Cliff Anger

Proceedings Volume 6553, 655316 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.720453

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Imaging systems, Hyperspectral imaging, Thermography, Infrared radiation, Infrared imaging, Sensors, Infrared detectors, Spatial resolution, Mining

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Proceedings Article | 26 April 2007 Paper

Landmine detection using passive hyperspectral imaging

John McFee, Cliff Anger, Steve Achal, Tyler Ivanco

Proceedings Volume 6554, 655404 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.722204

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Imaging systems, Mining, Hyperspectral imaging, Reflectivity, Short wave infrared radiation, Infrared radiation, Thermography, Infrared imaging, Vegetation

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Proceedings Article | 25 October 2006 Paper

Bioaerosols laser-induced fluorescence provides specific robust signatures for standoff detection

Sylvie Buteau, Jean-Robert Simard, Bernard Déry, Gilles Roy, Pierre Lahaie, Pierre Mathieu, Jim Ho, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 6378, 637813 (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.686010

KEYWORDS: Luminescence, Laser induced fluorescence, Signal detection, LIDAR, Aerosols, Sensors, Clouds, Standoff detection, Defense and security, Biological detection systems

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Proceedings Article | 18 May 2006 Paper

The Canadian Forces ILDS: a militarily fielded multisensor vehicle-mounted teleoperated landmine detection system

John McFee, Kevin Russell, Robert Chesney, Anthony Faust, Yogadhish Das

Proceedings Volume 6217, 62172G (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.663109

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Land mines, Mining, Prototyping, Data fusion, Photovoltaics, Cameras, Imaging systems, Detection and tracking algorithms, Head

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Proceedings Article | 18 May 2006 Paper

Investigation of the feasibility of fast neutron analysis for detection of buried landmines

Anthony Faust, John McFee, H. Robert Andrews, Harry Ing

Proceedings Volume 6217, 62172C (2006) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.668898

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Sensors, Carbon, Explosives, Gamma radiation, Oxygen, Fine needle aspiration, Head, Explosives detection, Target detection

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Proceedings Article | 10 June 2005 Paper

A short wave infrared hyperspectral imager for landmine detection

John McFee, Steve Achal, Tyler Ivanco, Cliff Anger

Proceedings Volume 5794, (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.602637

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Short wave infrared radiation, Mining, Hyperspectral imaging, Reflectivity, Imaging systems, Infrared radiation, Sensors, Infrared imaging, Infrared detectors

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DRDC Suffield and Itres Research have jointly investigated the use of visible and infrared hyperspectral imaging for landmine detection since 1988. There has been considerable success detecting surface-laid landmines by classification of their visible/near infrared (VNIR - 400 to 1000 nm wavelength) spectral signatures, but it has not been possible to find VNIR spectral characteristics that would generically distinguish anthropogenic objects from natural features such as rocks, vegetation, soil, etc. Preliminary studies in 1998 suggested that it might be possible to develop such a generic classifier in the short wave infrared (SWIR) and that detection performance might improve. Because of a lack of available SWIR hyperspectral imagers with adequate performance for mine detection, a prototype pushbroom SWIR hyperspectral imager was developed and completed in summer 2002. The now commercially available instrument, sasi, has 160 bands over a spectral range of 850 to 2450 nm, signal to noise ratio of 400:1 with f/1.8 fore-optics, and 600 pixels over a 37.7° field of view. A number of mission flights have been carried out and excellent imagery obtained. In October 2003, Itres and DRDC Suffield personnel obtained field SWIR hyperspectral imagery in the DRDC Suffield Mine Pen of numerous surface-laid mines, one buried mine, other surface-laid human-made items, background materials and people from a horizontally scanning personnel-lift at an altitude of roughly 5 m. Preliminary indications are that a simple generic classification decision boundary should be able to distinguish surface-laid landmines from many human-made artifacts and natural materials. The buried mine was not detected, but the mine had been buried for several years and hence there would be no residual surface disturbance. Furthermore, the small sample size and limited observation time make it difficult to generalize about SWIR performance for buried mines. The instrument is described and the preliminary results of the trial, planned improvements and future research are discussed.

Proceedings Article | 21 September 2004 Paper

Laboratory evaluation of the EIT technology capability to detect mines buried in an underwater sediment layer

Philip Church, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 5415, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.541177

KEYWORDS: Electrodes, Sensors, Mining, Land mines, Target detection, Reconstruction algorithms, Data acquisition, Environmental sensing, Chemical elements, Solids

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Proceedings Article | 21 September 2004 Paper

A proof-of-concept optical tripwire detector

John McFee, Steve Achal, Tyler Ivanco, Ashley Tam, Greg Baker, Clifford Anger

Proceedings Volume 5415, (2004) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.541637

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Imaging systems, Image processing, Mining, Vegetation, Land mines, Detection and tracking algorithms, Hough transforms, Image filtering, Image segmentation

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Proceedings Article | 30 December 2003 Paper

Preliminary results from a prototype neutron moderation imager

John McFee, H. Andrews, Ted Clifford, Anthony Faust, Harry Ing, Thomas Cousins

Proceedings Volume 5199, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.506191

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Land mines, Imaging systems, Mining, Explosives, Signal detection, Target detection, Image processing, Monte Carlo methods, Californium

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Proceedings Article | 11 September 2003 Paper

Canadian landmine detection research program

John McFee, Yogadhish Das, Anthony Faust

Proceedings Volume 5089, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.485956

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Sensors, Imaging systems, Mining, Hyperspectral imaging, Prototyping, Soil science, Electromagnetism, Infrared imaging, Explosives

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Proceedings Article | 11 September 2003 Paper

Defence R&D Canada research on nuclear methods of landmine detection

John McFee, Anthony Faust

Proceedings Volume 5089, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.485975

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Land mines, Imaging systems, Prototyping, Backscatter, Defense and security, Mining, X-rays, Californium, Coded aperture imaging

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Defence R&D Canada (DRDC) has an active research and development program on detection of landmines using nuclear methods. They are intended for confirmation by detection of characteristic radiation or imaging of back scattered intensity distributions. Both vehicle-mounted and person-portable systems are being developed. Research on thermal neutron analysis (TNA) was initiated in 1994 to provide a confirmation detector for the DRDC developed multisensor, teleoperated, vehicle-mounted, landmine detection system. A version is now commercially available and four units have been fielded by the Canadian Land Forces. A prototype next generation TNA, which uses an electronic neutron generator as a source, has been constructed. Preliminary tests have shown improved performance. Research is now ongoing to investigate the addition of a fast neutron analysis capability to the next generation TNA. Characterization studies and software improvements are being conducted. Related research is investigating whether fast inorganic scintillator materials can provide an improvement in energy resolution. For person-portable applications, both neutron and photon irradiation processes are being investigated. A prototype landmine detector based on neutron moderation imaging has been completed and preliminary images of antipersonnel mine simulants obtained. It consists of a novel thermal neutron imaging system, a unique neutron source to uniformly irradiate the underlying ground and hardware and software for image generation and enhancement. Simulations show that it should provide a significant improvement over non-imaging neutron backscatter systems. X-ray backscatter imaging research is concentrating on non-collimated approaches to enable it to be person-portable. One such method, coded aperture imaging, is being investigated and extensive simulations using Geant4 have demonstrated its merits. Initial joint experiments with UC San Diego, using their HEXIS detector, have been conducted.

Proceedings Article | 11 September 2003 Paper

Soil information requirements for humanitarian demining: the case for a soil properties database

Yogadhish Das, John McFee, Kevin Russell, Guy Cross, T. John Katsube

Proceedings Volume 5089, (2003) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.486306

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Sensors, Soil science, Electromagnetism, Metals, Magnetism, Databases, Explosives, Sensor performance, Magnetic sensors

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Proceedings Article | 13 August 2002 Paper

Neutron albedo imager for land mine detection

John McFee, H. Robert Andrews, Harry Ing, Thomas Cousins, Anthony Faust, Dean Haslip

Proceedings Volume 4742, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.479121

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Imaging systems, Land mines, Explosives, Hydrogen, Mining, Soil science, Californium, Signal detection, Monte Carlo methods

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Proceedings Article | 13 August 2002 Paper

Limitations in identifying objects from their time-domain electromagnetic induction response

Yogadhish Das, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 4742, (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.479151

KEYWORDS: Optical spheres, Electromagnetic coupling, Data modeling, Electromagnetism, Land mines, Metals, Computer simulations, Sensors, Signal to noise ratio, Error analysis

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One of the long-standing goals in landmine and UXO detection research has been to identify metal objects based on their electromagnetic induction~(EMI) responses. An often-pursued approach is to model the time-domain response of an object with a sum of damped real exponentials whose amplitude and decay coefficients are related to the object's geometric and electromagnetic properties. Using this model, a measured response can be processed, by a number of techniques, in an attempt to extract the associated amplitude and decay coefficients of the constituent exponentials. These coefficients can be potentially related to the object's physical properties. Some years ago the authors investigated this approach using computer simulated data with added noise. Even for the simple case of a sphere, it was not possible to reliably and uniquely estimate the amplitudes and decay constants, particularly in the absence of some a priori information about the object. The basic problem is that damped real exponentials are highly correlated functions. That is, while it is easy to fit a response with a sum of these exponentials, the accuracy of the estimate of their parameters (amplitude and decay constants) is not guaranteed, making it difficult to relate extracted parameters to object properties. The paper illustrates this point using the EMI response of a sphere and the characteristics of fitting exponential sums to data. For objects more complex than the sphere, there will be additional problems such as the dependence of the response on object orientation and depth. In practice, the problem will be exacerbated by low signal strength (particularly for minimum metal landmines), uncertain or unknown object location and depth and the occurrence of a large number of false targets, some of which will have responses which are statistically identical with that of the target being sought. As well, a false target in the proximity of a real target will alter or totally mask the response of the latter.

Proceedings Article | 18 December 2001 Paper

DT neutron generator as a source for a thermal neutron activation system for confirmatory land mine detection

Dean Haslip, Thomas Cousins, H. Robert Andrews, Jing Chen, Edward Clifford, Harry Ing, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 4507, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.450763

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Land mines, Gamma radiation, Mining, Explosives, Californium, Nitrogen, Picosecond phenomena, Defense and security, Standards development

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Proceedings Article | 18 October 2001 Paper

Performance assessment of an electrical impedance tomography detector for minelike objects

Philip Church, Philip Wort, Stephane Gagnon, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 4394, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.445463

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Electrodes, Mining, Detection and tracking algorithms, Land mines, Electronics, Data acquisition, Reconstruction algorithms, Tomography, Target detection

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Proceedings Article | 18 October 2001 Paper

Laboratory in-air testing of metal detectors

Yogadhish Das, Jack Toews, Kevin Russell, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 4394, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.445465

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Target detection, Head, Land mines, Metals, Sensor performance, Calibration, Signal detection, Manufacturing, Data modeling

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Proceedings Article | 18 October 2001 Paper

Casi real-time surface-laid mine detection system

Tyler Ivanco, Stephen Achal, John McFee, Clifford Anger

Proceedings Volume 4394, (2001) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.445488

KEYWORDS: Real-time computing, Land mines, Image processing, Detection and tracking algorithms, Data acquisition, Data processing, Target detection, Data backup, Mining, Radiometric corrections

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Proceedings Article | 22 August 2000 Paper

Feasibility of optical detection of land mine trip wires

Stephen Babey, John McFee, Clifford Anger, Avygdor Moise, Stephen Achal

Proceedings Volume 4038, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.396248

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Reflectivity, Ultraviolet radiation, Land mines, Cameras, Detection and tracking algorithms, Signal to noise ratio, Vegetation, Digital signal processing, Metals

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Proceedings Article | 22 August 2000 Paper

Geometrical and optical calibration of a vehicle-mounted IR imager for land mine localization

Victor Aitken, Kevin Russell, John McFee

Proceedings Volume 4038, (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.396246

KEYWORDS: Calibration, Cameras, Imaging systems, Sensors, Infrared imaging, Image processing, Land mines, Optical calibration, Computing systems, Image acquisition

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Proceedings Article | 1 October 1999 Paper

High rate counting electronics for a thermal neutron analysis land mine detector

Edward Clifford, Harry Ing, John McFee, Thomas Cousins

Proceedings Volume 3769, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.363677

KEYWORDS: Electronics, Signal processing, Sensors, Land mines, Control systems, Gamma radiation, Nitrogen, Telecommunications, Prototyping, Analytical research

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Proceedings Article | 2 August 1999 Paper

Detection of surface-laid mine fields in VNIR hyperspectral high-spatial-resolution data

Stephen Achal, Clifford Anger, John McFee, Robert Herring

Proceedings Volume 3710, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.357103

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Mining, Reflectivity, Spatial resolution, Hyperspectral imaging, Target detection, Spectral resolution, Imaging systems, Image processing, Vegetation

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Proceedings Article | 2 August 1999 Paper

Real-time target detection technique for metal detector arrays: an image processing approach

Kevin Russell, Yogadhish Das, John McFee, Robert Chesney

Proceedings Volume 3710, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.357110

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Metals, Target detection, Land mines, Detection and tracking algorithms, Detector arrays, Signal detection, Image processing, Electromagnetic coupling, Data fusion

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Proceedings Article | 28 May 1999 Paper

Active range-gated spectrometric standoff detection and characterization of bioaerosols

Jean-Robert Simard, Pierre Mathieu, Vincent Larochelle, Jean-Marc Theriault, Gilles Roy, John McFee, Jim Ho

Proceedings Volume 3707, (1999) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.351335

KEYWORDS: LIDAR, Luminescence, Raman spectroscopy, Atmospheric particles, Signal detection, Atmospheric optics, Aerosols, Spectroscopy, Standoff detection, Atmospheric modeling

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Proceedings Article | 4 September 1998 Paper

Multisensor vehicle-mounted teleoperated mine detector with data fusion

John McFee, Victor Aitken, Robert Chesney, Yogadhish Das, Kevin Russell

Proceedings Volume 3392, (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324158

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Mining, Data fusion, Land mines, Target detection, Metals, Detection and tracking algorithms, General packet radio service, Electromagnetic coupling, Vehicle control

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Proceedings Article | 4 September 1998 Paper

Thermal neutron activation system for confirmatory nonmetallic land mine detection

John McFee, Thomas Cousins, Trevor Jones, Jean Brisson, Terry Jamieson, Ed Waller, Francois LeMay, Harry Ing, Edward Clifford, Barkley Selkirk

Proceedings Volume 3392, (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324228

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Land mines, Electronics, Head, Nitrogen, Mining, Explosives, Gamma radiation, Defense and security, Calibration

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Proceedings Article | 29 October 1997 Paper

Pipelined algorithm and parallel architecture for real-time detection of sparse small objects in images

Mabo Ito, Sinh Duong, John McFee, Kevin Russell

Proceedings Volume 3163, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.279518

KEYWORDS: Detection and tracking algorithms, Land mines, Algorithm development, Forward looking infrared, Imaging systems, Sensors, Infrared imaging, Mining, Infrared radiation, Feature extraction

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 1997 Paper

Remote performance prediction for infrared imaging of buried mines

Kevin Russell, John McFee, Wayne Sirovyak

Proceedings Volume 3079, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.280905

KEYWORDS: Mining, Roads, Infrared imaging, Imaging systems, Temperature metrology, Land mines, Sensors, Infrared radiation, Thermography, Data acquisition

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Proceedings Article | 22 July 1997 Paper

Detection of buried land mines using a CASI hyperspectral imager

John McFee, Herb Ripley

Proceedings Volume 3079, (1997) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.280902

KEYWORDS: Mining, Land mines, Vegetation, Palladium, Explosives, Hyperspectral imaging, Reflectivity, Imaging systems, Image classification, Sun

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Proceedings Article | 31 May 1996 Paper

Multisensor mine detector for peacekeeping: improved landmine detector concept (ILDC)

John McFee, Al Carruthers

Proceedings Volume 2765, (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.241226

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Mining, Land mines, Data fusion, General packet radio service, Electromagnetism, Infrared imaging, Electromagnetic coupling, Imaging systems, Roads

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Proceedings Article | 31 May 1996 Paper

Preliminary study of detection of buried landmines using a programmable hyperspectral imager

John McFee, Herb Ripley, Roger Buxton, Andrew Thriscutt

Proceedings Volume 2765, (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.241250

KEYWORDS: Mining, Land mines, Vegetation, Reflectivity, Imaging systems, Visible radiation, Hyperspectral imaging, Spatial resolution, Absorption, Geomatics

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Proceedings Article | 20 June 1995 Paper

Identification of surface-laid mines by classification of compact airborne spectrographic imager (CASI) reflectance spectra

Stephen Achal, John McFee, Clifford Anger

Proceedings Volume 2496, (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.211328

KEYWORDS: Reflectivity, Mining, Land mines, Imaging systems, Vegetation, Image classification, Target detection, Spatial resolution, Shape analysis, Multispectral imaging

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Proceedings Article | 20 June 1995 Paper

Algorithm for real-time detection of minefields in monochromatic airborne imagery

John McFee, Kevin Russell, Mabo Ito, Richard Vu

Proceedings Volume 2496, (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.211356

KEYWORDS: Detection and tracking algorithms, Image segmentation, Feature extraction, Image processing, Algorithm development, Sensors, Target detection, Shape analysis, Computing systems, Image classification

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Proceedings Article | 1 December 1991 Paper

Detection of surface-laid minefields using a hierarchical image processing algorithm

John McFee, Kevin Russell, Mabo Ito

Proceedings Volume 1567, (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.50802

KEYWORDS: Land mines, Detection and tracking algorithms, Mining, Sensors, Algorithm development, Analytical research, Image segmentation, Image analysis, Feature extraction, Imaging systems

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The remote detection of minefields has a high priority with the armed forces of several countries, including Canada. The Defence Research Establishment Suffield and the University of British Columbia are jointly developing methods to identify surface-laid minefields by real- time analysis of airborne sensor imagery. Passive multispectral imaging has been investigated, but the problem of analyzing monochromatic images from active infrared scanners is considered here. Among the severe constraints are that one must find clusters of bright regions each only several pixels wide, sparsely distributed over large areas. Also, the sharply forward peaked scattering from the mines and variable terrain roughness leads to the result that some mines are not detected. The required very high input data rate suggests simple, high speed target cuing which is amenable to hardware implementation. This is incompatible with slower image understanding techniques needed to identify mines by their shapes, and minefields by the spatial relationships between mines. A hierarchical algorithm is thus presented as a solution to the problem. In progressing from lower to higher levels, computational operations become more complex and less able to be implemented on conventional high-speed devices but the volume of data to be analyzed decreases. At the lowest level, non-suspect regions are rejected to drastically reduce the data rate. At the next higher level, suspect regions are segmented into homogeneous sub-regions. The next level consists of extraction of morphological features of the sub-regions. One level higher, sub-regions are classified based on extracted features. At the top level, spatial relationships between `mine-like' regions are determined and are used by knowledge-based methods to classify the imaged area as being a minefield with a specified likelihood. The algorithm, which includes a novel region segmenter, has been developed up to and including sub-region classification. Studies using simulated yet realistic thermal infrared minefield images have demonstrated that the algorithm is successful in detecting individual mines. Current efforts to make the algorithm execute in real-time, by implementing it on a transputer network communicating with array processors, will also be discussed.

SPIE Journal Paper | 1 September 1991

Simulation of images by photometric stereo modeling

Kevin Russell, John McFee, Mabo Ito

OE, Vol. 30, Issue 09, (September 1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.10.1117/12.55933

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Reflectivity, Bidirectional reflectance transmission function, Infrared imaging, Infrared radiation, Imaging systems, Mining, Image analysis, Image processing, Picosecond phenomena

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