Sensor Non Uniformity Correction Algorithms and its Real Time Implementation for Infrared Focal Plane Array-based Thermal Imaging System

Abstract

The advancement in infrared (IR) detector technologies from 1st to 3rd generation and beyond has resulted in the improvement of infrared imaging systems due to availability of IR detectors with large number of pixels, smaller pitch, higher sensitivity and large F-number. However, it also results in several problems and most serious of them is sensor non-uniformities, which are mainly attributed to the difference in the photo-response of each detector in the infrared focal plane array. These spatial and temporal non-uniformities result in a slowly varying pattern on the image usually called as fixed pattern noise and results in the degradation the temperature resolving capabilities of thermal imaging system considerably. This paper describes two types of non uniformity correction methodologies.  First type of algorithms deals with correction of sensor non-uniformities based upon the calibration method. Second type of algorithm deals with correction of sensor non uniformities using scene information present in the acquired images. The proposed algorithms correct both additive and multiplicative non uniformities. These algorithms are evaluated using the simulated & actual infrared data and results of implementations are presented. Furthermore, proposed algorithms are implemented in field programmable gate array based embedded hardware.

Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(6), pp.589-598, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.5768