Pixel Network (PIXNET) for Dynamic Visualization
Abstract
The PIXNET program addresses the squad level capability gap for target detection, recognition and identification in all-weather and 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 thermal and reflected-illumination bands. The camera will also provide fused reflective and thermal band imagery on demand. 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 capability, allowing detection, recognition and identification of targets from a single camera whether 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 portability and ability to deploy widely to all participants in the theater. The emphasis on a small form will naturally enable new opportunities such as surveillance with small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), rifle sights with multiple bands, and vehicle-mounted, helmet-mounted and handheld surveillance systems. The phenomenology of different infrared wavelengths 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, 2016
- Source ID
- 54c4b02a67350d57d7e66b41ce8b7fad
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- Root: ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY