TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Information Systems, Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PG13 Infantry Weapons MARCORSYSCOM

OBJECTIVE: Develop algorithms and visualization methodologies that interpret raw high resolution radar returns of objects of interest (in particular objects of interest detected behind walls) into virtual renderings of these objects based on parametric information contained in raw image data. Virtual rendering of human posture and orientation signatures is of particular interest. Movements of the human body provide characteristic RF features that provide information on the location of human limbs and joints as well as human body orientation and direction of travel. Interpreting these signatures within the radar returns avails the generation of virtual renderings of the detected human. It is the objective of this STTR, to exploit these subtle "micro-Doppler" features and develop the algorithms to real-time display a virtual image of the interpreted radar return.

DESCRIPTION: Many branches of the federal government including the DOD, DOJ, DHS, DOA, and INS, as well as local and state law enforcement agencies are keenly interested in developing technologies which enable remote, standoff surveillance of man-made structures. Low frequency RF radar systems are demonstrating great promise in their ability to penetrate various wall materials and image objects such as furniture, construction features, and humans within. In many surveillance applications radars are employed to image a given region in order to detect targets of interest such as weapons caches and personnel. Images created from these raw radar returns are difficult to interpret visually due to variations in single-to-noise, limited resolution, clutter interference, shadowing, and other impairments. However, a wealth of additional information about detected objects is contained within the raw radar data such as resonances, Doppler, and characteristic signatures. This additional information can be combined with the imagery to identify objects of interest and their locations, orientations, and trajectories. It is the intent of this STTR to develop algorithms to merge this characteristic information in order to generate virtual renderings of the object onto an imaging display. As an example, the articulation of limbs of a moving human provides unique Doppler signatures at different spatial locations. These limb movements are then extracted and interpreted from the raw radar data in order to provide a virtual rendering of the object onto the radar image.

PHASE I: Conduct research to evaluate the viability of techniques to specifically interpret RF radar signatures of objects of interest. Techniques found to be the most promising should be simulated.

PHASE II: Produce a working software prototype and demonstrate that prototype in a relevant environment. The prototype should translate raw radar returns into a rendering of human posture and orientation and be able to identify selected objects of interest.

PHASE III: Integrate developed software into a tactically relevant user terminal, support field user evaluation and mature interfaces with the specific radars developed under the Transparent Urvan Structures enabling capability program on behalf of Program Manager, Infantry Weapons.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Technology developed under this topic has direct applicability for civilian law enforcement. The technology as the potential to allow law enforcement to understand the behaviors of individuals behind walls.

REFERENCES:
1. Zhaonian Zhang, Philippe O. Pouliquen, Allen Waxman, Andreas G. Andreou, "Acoustic micro-Doppler radar for human gait imaging", Journal of the Acoustical Society of America Express Letters, Vol. 121, No. 3, pp. 110-113, March 2007.

2. Michael Otero, "Application of a continuous wave radar for human gait recognition", MITRE Corp document # 05-0330, Dec 2005.

3. U. Tiede, T. Schiemann, K. H. Hhne, "Visualizing the Visible Human," IEEE Compute. Graphics Appl. 16, pp. 7-9, 1996.

4. Michael Bajura, Henry Fuchs, and Ryutarou Ohbuchi, "Merging Virtual Objects with the Real World: Seeing Ultrasound Imagery within the Patient", Computer Graphics, 26,2, July 1992.

5. Sarah C. M. Brown and John C. Bennett, "High-Resolution Microwave Polarimetric Imaging of Small Trees", IEEE Transactions On Geoscience And Remote Sensing, Vol. 37, No. 1, January 1999.

KEYWORDS: radar, RF scattering, RF signatures, virtual display technology

TPOC: Martin Kruger
Phone: (703)696-5349
Fax:
Email: [email protected]
2nd TPOC: Andre des Rosiers
Phone: (202)404-4436
Fax:
Email: [email protected]