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http://hdl.handle.net/1947/9988
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| Title: | Design of a Foliage Penetrating LADAR Simulation Tool. |
| Report number: | DSTO-GD-0577 |
| AR number: | AR-014-521 |
| Classification: | Unclassified |
| Report type: | General Document |
| Authors: | Graham, M. |
| Issue Date: | 2009-05 |
| Division: | Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division |
| Abbreviation: | ISRD |
| Release authority: | Chief, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Division |
| Task sponsor: | Intelligence & Security Group |
| Task number: | 07/105 |
| File number: | 2009/1002636 |
| Pages or format: | 33 |
| References: | 3 |
| DSTORL/DEFTEST terms: | Laser radar
Computer programs
Simulation
Modelling |
| Abstract: | A simulation tool was developed using MATLAB and its Graphical User Interface Development Environment (GUIDE) to simulate aspects of an airborne foliage-penetrating Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) system in scenarios designed to contribute towards the military operational use of such a system. In particular, the simulation tool is intended for conducting analysis on how best to task the aircraft and position the sensor. This document provides an overview of the graphical user interface and software including: the design challenges; dealing with the input scenery data; modelling the sensor and platform flight path; and planned analysis of the simulation results. |
| Executive summary: | This document outlines the development of software, designed using the MATLAB programming language, which aims to accurately simulate aspects of an airborne foliage penetrating LADAR system. This work was undertaken as part of Task 07/105 Support to Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance to investigate the tasking of airborne sensors to detect inconspicuous targets, particularly those partially obscured by forest canopies. Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) three-dimensional (3D) imaging systems could be extremely useful for this application. Such systems form 3D images based on time-of-flight of laser photons, some of which pass through gaps in foliage or other partial obscurants such as camouflage nets. Hence the 3D image will contain partial information about any objects behind or underneath such obscurants. The obscurant can be removed from the image by applying a range threshold, leaving a partial image of the hidden objects which may include targets of interest. An improved overall image can be formed by combining images taken from several different viewpoints, using knowledge of the LADAR sensor’s location at each viewpoint. The aim of the work under this Task is to recommend how to task an aircraft such as a Tactical UAV with a LADAR imaging payload, recognising that such a system is currently hypothetical and has not entered the Defence Capability Plan. There was no intention to produce a detailed model to aid in designing LADAR systems for aircraft or for testing data processing algorithms; rather, the fidelity of the model was only intended to be suitable for operations research studies. The scope of this document is the design of software and algorithms to run simulations of LADAR imagery acquisition. A graphical user interface has been developed for the simulation tool to make it easy to set up scenarios, modify parameters, visualise the output and perform analysis. An overview is also presented on the three-dimensional scene and target models used by the simulation and the modelling of the sensor and aircraft flight path. There were also several design challenges specific to the MATLAB environment which is discussed in this document. |
| Appears in Collections: | DSTO Formal Reports
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