Real time imaging of infrared scene data generated by the Naval Postgraduate School Infrared Search and Target Designation System (NPS-ITSTD)

Abstract

A system to display images generated by the Naval Postgraduate School Infrared Search and Target Designation System (a modified AN/SAR-8 Advanced Development Model) in near real time was developed using a 33MHz NIC computer as the central controller. This computer was enhanced with a Data Translation DT2861 Frame Grabber for image processing and an interface board designed and constructed at NPS to provide synchronization between the IRSTD and Frame Grabber. Images are displayed in false color in a video raster format on a 512 by 480 pixel resolution monitor. Using FORTRAN, programs h ave been written to acquire, unscramble, expand and display a 3 degrees sector of data. The time line for acquisition, processing and display has been analyzed and repetition periods of less than four seconds for successive screen displays have been achieved. This represents a marked improvement over previous methods necessitating slower Direct Memory Access transfers of data into the Frame Grabber. Recommendations are made for further improvements to enhance the speed and utility of images produced.