Autonomous Detection of Objects from Range Data Measurements

Abstract

The overall objective of this study is to provide autonomous detection of obstacles or objects within a given field of view using noisy range data measurements as might be obtained from a laser rangefinder. Specifically, the goal is to provide simplified and efficient computer procedures suitable for filtering and processing the range data to detect objects. The particular procedure studied involves a single term state vector (range) with adaptive procedures for handling objects on a sloped plane. The range data is processed by incrementally varying elevation angle for fixed azimuth angle. The edges of objects are detected using a Bayesian decision procedure on the filtered range data. Results are presented showing the minimum object size that can be detected as a function of false alarm rate, Bayesian decision criteria, measurement noise level, and covariances of the artificial noise levels added to the filter to minimize false alarms. The artificial noise covariances can be either in the form of system (plant) noise or measurement noise. Results indicate that the most efficient approach to minimizing false alarms in terms of minimizing detectable object size is to adjust the Bayesian decision criteria. The least efficient approach is to artificially add system noise covariances.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1985
Accession Number
ADA155301

Entities

People

  • C. N. Shen
  • R. L. Racicot

Organizations

  • United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Computers
  • Covariance
  • Detection
  • Elevation
  • False Alarms
  • Filters
  • Filtration
  • Kalman Filtering
  • Kalman Filters
  • Laser Rangefinding
  • Lasers
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Range Finders
  • Simulations
  • Warning Systems

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Adaptive Control and Estimation with Uncertainty in Dynamic Systems.
  • Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Bayesian Inference
  • AI & ML - Machine Learning Algorithms
  • Directed Energy