Polarimetric Longwave Infrared (LWIR) Thermal Vision for Autonomous Vehicle Operation

Abstract

This report describes results of a field study conducted to assess the utility of using polarization-augmented thermal vision to enhance autonomous vehicle operation. In particular, polarimetric and conventional long-wave infrared (LWIR) video was recorded for a variety of nighttime driving scenarios conducted in both rural and urban environments. An uncooled microbolometer-based LWIR polarimetric camera sensor capable of recording simultaneous conventional thermal and polarimetric video imagery was used. Results showed improved spatial detail and information content for polarization augmented thermal imagery when compared to conventional thermal only.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2021
Accession Number
AD1149566

Entities

People

  • Kristan P. Gurton

Organizations

  • United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Autonomy
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Autonomous Navigation
  • Autonomous Vehicles
  • Cameras
  • Department Of Defense
  • Detection
  • Detectors
  • Field Tests
  • Focal Planes
  • Lidar
  • Linear Polarization
  • Long-Wavelength Infrared Radiation
  • Machine Learning
  • Navigation
  • Polarization
  • Radar
  • Remote Sensing
  • Thermal Images
  • Two Dimensional
  • Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Spectroscopy.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy