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An important feature of image processing is the
comparison of new and stored images to detect changes over time. This
method is called Coherent Change Detection (CCD) and its uses are
rapidly spreading throughout the military. By comparing live images
with past images of the same area, systems can automatically detect
and identify changes which can show placement of new objects such as
hidden IEDs, faint signatures of recent movement, such as vehicle
tracks, changes in foliage indicating human movements, or application
of camouflage that could indicate suspicious activity. Through the
image analysis and investigative process, these views can be
superimposed with thermal images, showing latent signatures of recent
human activity. When searching for a specific type of object,
hyperspectral analysis can be performed, by dedicated sensors, which
are designed to identify specific traces of chemical or organic
materials, by their distinctive spectral reflections.
Multi-spectral image fusing is also performed to enable target
identification from very long range, particularly at night. For
example, combining Near IR (NIR) with TV overcomes the visual
reflection from a car windshield, to show people inside a car.
Identifying these people from a long distance can be done by
illuminating the target with an invisible laser beam, and using a
special telescopic "gated CCD" sensor to view the target in great
details.
Progress is also evident in solving the "bandwidth
bottleneck", transferring large files over communications networks.
The US Marine Corps are planning to field the Video Storage Wide Area
Network, which collects and provides information on situational
awareness. The network uses multiple image collectors including
Pioneer and ScanEagle UAVs. The ground stations of these UAVs are
streaming live video over satellite communications to a central
repository which provides digitization, compression, editing and
storage services. These video databases are then made available to
multiple users in theater as well as worldwide. While the system
supports multiple users and multiple streams, bandwidth availability
becomes an issue when 128K "pipes" are used – typical streaming video
requires around 400-Kbps bandwidth, which is not always available for
field users.
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