PROBABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF SENSOR OUTPUT DATA,
Abstract
The first results of a program to determine the statistical nature of surveillance sensor output data are presented. Most of the data was obtained from negative transparencies of vertically oriented aerial photographs. Smaller samples of radar and infrared films are reported for comparison. A line-scan process was used to generate an electrical analog of the light transmitted by the film. This signal was sampled, amplitude quantized, and recorded for later statistical analysis by a digital computer. Four statistical parameters were tabulated; specifically, the probability of occurrence of (a) quantized signal amplitudes, (b) quantized slopes between adjacent samples, (c) runs of constant amplitude, and (d) runs of constant slope. Application of the data is discussed in terms of coding and possible improvements in signal processing. Of the four characteristics, only slopes have probability distributions which permit significant reductions (a factor of 2 to 3) in channel capacity. Recommended extensions of the program are related to advanced sensors. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1963
- Accession Number
- AD0418179
Entities
People
- George W. Mcclure
- John C. Dute
Organizations
- University of Michigan