Clutter and target signature statistics from the DARPA background clutter experiment

Erik M. Rosen; Thomas W. Altshuler

doi:10.1117/12.324153

4 September 1998 Clutter and target signature statistics from the DARPA background clutter experiment

Erik M. Rosen, Thomas W. Altshuler

Proceedings Volume 3392, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets III; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324153
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing and Controls, 1998, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Clutter is the largest factor contributing to the poor detection rates and high false-alarm rates for mine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) detection systems. The source of this clutter can be either naturally occurring or anthropic. Because the standard detector technologies are anomaly-based systems, few features within the sensor data permit mitigation of false alarms or provide an avenue to enhance detection rates. To achieve operational detection performance, a better understanding of clutter statistics is required at the single pixel level and at the feature level. This paper presents an in-depth assessment of the statistical properties of clutter and target signatures for a specific test site. This assessment uses data collected during the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Background Clutter Data Collection Experiment. Pixel-level statistics for electromagnetic induction detection systems are discussed. The resulting statistical distribution functions for clutter and targets exhibit poor separation. Improved separation of the distribution functions is achieved if features are employed. For example, by measuring the particular size and shape features of target signatures, the false-alarm rate can be reduced with minimal decrease in the detection rate. By using feature-level information, improved system performance can be achieved. This improved performance is dependent on the feature-level statistics of a specific site and is always limited by the overlap between the distribution functions of the clutter and target signatures. The resulting performance enhancement -- although significant -- is still far below the level required for very high detection rates and low false- alarm rates.

Citation Download Citation

Erik M. Rosen and Thomas W. Altshuler "Clutter and target signature statistics from the DARPA background clutter experiment", Proc. SPIE 3392, Detection and Remediation Technologies for Mines and Minelike Targets III, (4 September 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.324153

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available