322 research outputs found
Velocity Dealiased Spectral Estimators of Range Migrating Targets using a Single Low-PRF Wideband Waveform
Wideband radars are promising systems that may provide numerous advantages, like simultaneous detection of slow and fast moving targets, high range-velocity resolution classification, and electronic countermeasures. Unfortunately, classical processing algorithms are challenged by the range-migration phenomenon that occurs then for fast moving targets. We
propose a new approach where the range migration is used rather as an asset to retrieve information about target velocitiesand, subsequently, to obtain a velocity dealiased mode. More specifically three new complex spectral estimators are devised in case of a single low-PRF (pulse repetition frequency) wideband waveform. The new estimation schemes enable one to decrease the
level of sidelobes that arise at ambiguous velocities and, thus, to enhance the discrimination capability of the radar. Synthetic data and experimental data are used to assess the performance of the proposed estimators
Novel Hybrid-Learning Algorithms for Improved Millimeter-Wave Imaging Systems
Increasing attention is being paid to millimeter-wave (mmWave), 30 GHz to 300
GHz, and terahertz (THz), 300 GHz to 10 THz, sensing applications including
security sensing, industrial packaging, medical imaging, and non-destructive
testing. Traditional methods for perception and imaging are challenged by novel
data-driven algorithms that offer improved resolution, localization, and
detection rates. Over the past decade, deep learning technology has garnered
substantial popularity, particularly in perception and computer vision
applications. Whereas conventional signal processing techniques are more easily
generalized to various applications, hybrid approaches where signal processing
and learning-based algorithms are interleaved pose a promising compromise
between performance and generalizability. Furthermore, such hybrid algorithms
improve model training by leveraging the known characteristics of radio
frequency (RF) waveforms, thus yielding more efficiently trained deep learning
algorithms and offering higher performance than conventional methods. This
dissertation introduces novel hybrid-learning algorithms for improved mmWave
imaging systems applicable to a host of problems in perception and sensing.
Various problem spaces are explored, including static and dynamic gesture
classification; precise hand localization for human computer interaction;
high-resolution near-field mmWave imaging using forward synthetic aperture
radar (SAR); SAR under irregular scanning geometries; mmWave image
super-resolution using deep neural network (DNN) and Vision Transformer (ViT)
architectures; and data-level multiband radar fusion using a novel
hybrid-learning architecture. Furthermore, we introduce several novel
approaches for deep learning model training and dataset synthesis.Comment: PhD Dissertation Submitted to UTD ECE Departmen
Convolutional Deblurring for Natural Imaging
In this paper, we propose a novel design of image deblurring in the form of
one-shot convolution filtering that can directly convolve with naturally
blurred images for restoration. The problem of optical blurring is a common
disadvantage to many imaging applications that suffer from optical
imperfections. Despite numerous deconvolution methods that blindly estimate
blurring in either inclusive or exclusive forms, they are practically
challenging due to high computational cost and low image reconstruction
quality. Both conditions of high accuracy and high speed are prerequisites for
high-throughput imaging platforms in digital archiving. In such platforms,
deblurring is required after image acquisition before being stored, previewed,
or processed for high-level interpretation. Therefore, on-the-fly correction of
such images is important to avoid possible time delays, mitigate computational
expenses, and increase image perception quality. We bridge this gap by
synthesizing a deconvolution kernel as a linear combination of Finite Impulse
Response (FIR) even-derivative filters that can be directly convolved with
blurry input images to boost the frequency fall-off of the Point Spread
Function (PSF) associated with the optical blur. We employ a Gaussian low-pass
filter to decouple the image denoising problem for image edge deblurring.
Furthermore, we propose a blind approach to estimate the PSF statistics for two
Gaussian and Laplacian models that are common in many imaging pipelines.
Thorough experiments are designed to test and validate the efficiency of the
proposed method using 2054 naturally blurred images across six imaging
applications and seven state-of-the-art deconvolution methods.Comment: 15 pages, for publication in IEEE Transaction Image Processin
Predicting visual fixations on video based on low-level visual features
AbstractTo what extent can a computational model of the bottom–up visual attention predict what an observer is looking at? What is the contribution of the low-level visual features in the attention deployment? To answer these questions, a new spatio-temporal computational model is proposed. This model incorporates several visual features; therefore, a fusion algorithm is required to combine the different saliency maps (achromatic, chromatic and temporal). To quantitatively assess the model performances, eye movements were recorded while naive observers viewed natural dynamic scenes. Four completing metrics have been used. In addition, predictions from the proposed model are compared to the predictions from a state of the art model [Itti’s model (Itti, L., Koch, C., & Niebur, E. (1998). A model of saliency-based visual attention for rapid scene analysis. IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence 20(11), 1254–1259)] and from three non-biologically plausible models (uniform, flicker and centered models). Regardless of the metric used, the proposed model shows significant improvement over the selected benchmarking models (except the centered model). Conclusions are drawn regarding both the influence of low-level visual features over time and the central bias in an eye tracking experiment
Sparse representation based hyperspectral image compression and classification
Abstract
This thesis presents a research work on applying sparse representation to lossy hyperspectral image
compression and hyperspectral image classification. The proposed lossy hyperspectral image
compression framework introduces two types of dictionaries distinguished by the terms sparse
representation spectral dictionary (SRSD) and multi-scale spectral dictionary (MSSD), respectively.
The former is learnt in the spectral domain to exploit the spectral correlations, and the
latter in wavelet multi-scale spectral domain to exploit both spatial and spectral correlations in
hyperspectral images. To alleviate the computational demand of dictionary learning, either a
base dictionary trained offline or an update of the base dictionary is employed in the compression
framework. The proposed compression method is evaluated in terms of different objective
metrics, and compared to selected state-of-the-art hyperspectral image compression schemes, including
JPEG 2000. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness and competitiveness of
both SRSD and MSSD approaches.
For the proposed hyperspectral image classification method, we utilize the sparse coefficients
for training support vector machine (SVM) and k-nearest neighbour (kNN) classifiers. In particular,
the discriminative character of the sparse coefficients is enhanced by incorporating contextual
information using local mean filters. The classification performance is evaluated and compared
to a number of similar or representative methods. The results show that our approach could outperform
other approaches based on SVM or sparse representation.
This thesis makes the following contributions. It provides a relatively thorough investigation
of applying sparse representation to lossy hyperspectral image compression. Specifically,
it reveals the effectiveness of sparse representation for the exploitation of spectral correlations
in hyperspectral images. In addition, we have shown that the discriminative character of sparse
coefficients can lead to superior performance in hyperspectral image classification.EM201
The 1993 Space and Earth Science Data Compression Workshop
The Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) is described in terms of its data volume, data rate, and data distribution requirements. Opportunities for data compression in EOSDIS are discussed
Advancements and Breakthroughs in Ultrasound Imaging
Ultrasonic imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool available to medical practitioners, engineers and researchers today. Due to the relative safety, and the non-invasive nature, ultrasonic imaging has become one of the most rapidly advancing technologies. These rapid advances are directly related to the parallel advancements in electronics, computing, and transducer technology together with sophisticated signal processing techniques. This book focuses on state of the art developments in ultrasonic imaging applications and underlying technologies presented by leading practitioners and researchers from many parts of the world
Precise scatterer localization for ultrasound contrast imaging
This thesis is concerned with developing algorithms for the precise localization
of ultrasound point scatterers with an eye to super-resolution ultrasound contrast
imaging. In medical ultrasound, the conventional resolution is limited by diffraction
and, in contrast to other sensing fields, point source imaging has not been extensively
investigated. Here, two independent methods were proposed aiming to increase the
lateral and the axial resolution respectively, by improving the localization accuracy
of a single scatterer. The methods were examined with simulated and experimental
data by using standard transmission protocols. Where a technique is applicable to
imaging of more complicated structures than point sources, this was also examined.
Further, a preliminary study was included with algorithm application to microbubbles
that are currently used in contrast enhanced ultrasound. It was demonstrated
that it is feasible to translate to ultrasonics, adaptive processes or techniques from
optical imaging/astronomy. This way, it was possible to overcome the diffraction
limit and achieve sub-wavelength localization. The accuracy gains are subject to
many parameters but may reach up to two orders of magnitude, and are based
exclusively on array signal processing. The latter is an important advantage since
current attempts for super-resolution ultrasound are image-based which is generally
undesired
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