Numerical Methods in Aero-Optics

Abstract

This research project was concerned with the development of rigorous mathematical models, computational algorithms and high performance computer implementations for aero-optics imaging applications. The objectives of this project were to conduct research on inverse problems arising in the areas of: (1) adaptive optics deformable mirror control, (2) image post processing using blind deconvolution techniques and phase retrieval, as well as; and (3) accurate corrections to phase aberration problems encountered in radar systems. The work has applications in defense, including the airborne laser weapons program (ABL), space surveillance, and in civilian technology, including astronomical, industrial, and medical imaging. The project resulted in a variety of new technologies in the form of robust and efficient algorithms, as well as their implementations. Parallelizations of the computational algorithms were investigated and implemented on the IBM SP2 supercomputer at the Air Force Maui High Performance Computing Center. These codes were extensively tested on real optical imaging data made available by Air Force researchers. Packaging the results of our research into reliable software further facilitates the timely and effective transfer of vital new knowledge to DoD research laboratories and to industry. There were considerable collaborative research and transition activities at Air Force Laboratories during the course of this twenty month project. Several visits by principal investigator Plemmons were made to the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland AFB, NM, for the purpose of close interaction with Air Force researchers on our grant projects.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 20, 1999
Accession Number
ADA385004

Entities

People

  • Robert J. Plemmons

Organizations

  • Wake Forest University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Adaptive Optics
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Algorithms
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Computational Science
  • Computer Science
  • Control Systems
  • Deformable Mirrors
  • Digital Images
  • High Performance Computing
  • Image Processing
  • Inverse Problems
  • Military Research
  • Optics
  • Radar
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy
  • Space
  • Space - Space Objects