Optimal multidimensional distinction between target and background

Molly M. Scheffe

doi:10.1117/12.177927

15 June 1994 Optimal multidimensional distinction between target and background

Molly M. Scheffe

Proceedings Volume 2223, Characterization and Propagation of Sources and Backgrounds; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.177927
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1994, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

In the electro-optical target detection community, there is considerable interest in finding quantitative measures of detection performance, such as the (Delta) (Tau) metric of contrast between a target and background. As a measure of target detectability against a variety of backgrounds, this paper discusses a new, generalized signal-to-clutter ratio (SCR), which has many attractive features, such as detailed quantification of the role of target shape, clutter spatial statistics, and interchannel correlation (including color) on detectability. Using this measure of performance, it is easy to produce plots showing detection probability in terms of false alarm rate using a standard probability curve. To provide insight, some intuitive examples are presented of the role played by spatial/frequency matrix blocks in the generalized SCR. Finally, it is shown that when certain approximations or simplifications are made, the generalized signal-to-clutter metric discussed here does specialize to other, simpler and more familiar measures of detectability.

Citation Download Citation

Molly M. Scheffe "Optimal multidimensional distinction between target and background", Proc. SPIE 2223, Characterization and Propagation of Sources and Backgrounds, (15 June 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.177927

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