Pixel Network (PIXNET) for Dynamic Visualization
Abstract
The PIXNET program addresses the squad level capability gap for target detection, recognition and identification in day/night missions through real-time fusion of visible and thermal infrared (IR) imagery. The vision of the program is to offer the warfighter a small and versatile camera that would be affordable for individual soldiers and provide multiple band imagery with fusion capability to take full advantage of different wavelength-band phenomenology in a compact single unit. In the future, the availability of the PIXNET camera would enable a peer-to-peer networked system for image sharing within a squad, thereby providing a better common operating picture of the battlefield and significantly enhancing the warfighter's situational understanding. The program aims to develop a low size, weight and power (SWaP), low cost, soldier-portable multiband infrared camera that will provide real-time single and multiple band imagery using a combination of a thermal and reflected spectral band. The use of fused imagery in the PIXNET design will allow the soldier to detect camouflaged targets and distinguish targets from decoys. The PIXNET camera will eliminate limitations posed by current camera systems, allowing for the detection, recognition and identification of targets from a single camera in daylight or no-light conditions. The PIXNET program will focus on a significant reduction in SWaP and cost of infrared sensor components to enable the deployment of this technology to a wide range of participants in the theater. The emphasis on a small form factor will enable new opportunities such as surveillance with small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), multi-band rifle sights, vehicle-mounted systems, as well as helmet-mounted and handheld surveillance systems. The phenomenology of utilizing the unique characteristics of different infrared wavelengths for target detection will be exploited. The combination of a smart phone and PIXNET camera at the soldier level will enable more effective tactics, techniques and procedures (TTP) over the current capability. The PIXNET program takes advantage of the computing capability of smart phones to process and fuse multicolor images and send them as videos or still images to the warfighter's helmet-mounted display via a wireless or wired connection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- 1d206170dba191713e37a3a52408fcde
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