Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Ma, Tian J.

Publications and source records attributed to Ma, Tian J..

Remote Sensing Low Signal-to-Noise-Ratio Target Detection Enhancement

In real-time remote sensing application, frames of data are continuously flowing into the processing system. The capability of detecting objects of interest and tracking them as they move is crucial to many critical surveillance and monitoring missions. Detecting small objects using remote sensors is an ongoing, challenging problem. Since object(s) are located far away from the sensor, the target’s Signal-to-Noise-Ratio (SNR) is low. The Limit of Detection (LOD) for remote sensors is bounded by what is observable on each image frame. In this paper, we present a new method, a “Multi-frame Moving Object Detection System (MMODS)”, to detect small, low SNR objects that are beyond what a human can observe in a single video frame. This is demonstrated by using simulated data where our technology-detected objects are as small as one pixel with a targeted SNR, close to 1:1. We also demonstrate a similar improvement using live data collected with a remote camera. The MMODS technology fills a major technology gap in remote sensing surveillance applications for small target detection. Our method does not require prior knowledge about the environment, pre-labeled targets, or training data to effectively detect and track slow- and fast-moving targets, regardless of the size or the distance.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Runtime Systems for Energy Efficiency in Advanced Computing Systems

As heterogeneous systems become increasingly popular for both mobile and high-performance computing, conventional efficiency techniques such as dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) fail to account for the tightly coupled and varied nature of systems on a chip (SoCs). In this work, we explore the impact of system unaware DVFS techniques on a mobile SoC under three benchmark suites: Chai, Rodinia, and Antutu. We then analyze performance trends across the suites to identify a set of consistent operating points that optimally balance power and performance across the system. The consistent operating points are then constructed into a dependency graph which can be leveraged to produce a more effective, SoC-wide governor.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Multi-frame moving object detection system

A plurality of remote sensing images of a scene are received. A potential target object can be identified in one of the images, wherein the target object has a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). A candidate motion path of the target object can be generated based upon the images. A predicted position of the target object along the candidate motion path is determined for each of the remote sensing images. An image chip is extracted from each of the images, where each image chip is centered about the predicted position of the target object in its corresponding image. A sum image chip is generated based upon the image chips. An indication that the potential target object is an actual object in the images is output based upon a value of a center pixel of the sum image chip.

Ma, Tian J.↗

Remote sensing detection enhancement

Big Data in the area of Remote Sensing has been growing rapidly. Remote sensors are used in surveillance, security, traffic, environmental monitoring, and autonomous sensing. Real-time detection of small moving targets using a remote sensor is an ongoing, challenging problem. Since the object is located far away from the sensor, the object often appears too small. The object’s signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) is often very low. Occurrences such as camera motion, moving backgrounds (e.g., rustling leaves), low contrast and resolution of foreground objects makes it difficult to segment out the targeted moving objects of interest. Due to the limited appearance of the target, it is tough to obtain the target’s characteristics such as its shape and texture. Without these characteristics, filtering out false detections can be a difficult task. Detecting these targets, would often require the detector to operate under a low detection threshold. However, lowering the detection threshold could lead to an increase of false alarms. In this paper, the author will introduce a new method that improves the probability to detect low SNR objects, while decreasing the number of false alarms as compared to using the traditional baseline detection technique.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗