Scientific Papers

Liu, W. and Frank, J., Estimation of Variance Distribution in Three Dimensions. I. Theory, J. Opt. Soc. Am., 1995, vol. 12, pp. 2615–2627.

Ushakov N.G., On the Possibility of the Variance Determination of a Nonhomogeneous 3D Random Field by the Statistical Characteristics of Its Projections, J. Math. Sci., 1997 (in press).

Liu, W., Boisset, N., and Frank, J., Estimation of Variance Distribution in Three Dimensions. II. Applications, J. Opt. Soc. Am., 1995, vol. 12, pp. 2628–2635.

№-0125 Computerized System for Processing and Analyzing Images

Full Title:	Multipurpose Computerized System for Processing and Analyzing Images Described by Fiber Processes
Technology Field(s):	INF-SOF: Information and Communications / Software

Contributors

Vasily A Shelokov

CCB "ALMAZ" (ALMAZ) 80, Leningradskii pr., Moscow, 111024, Russia Phone: 7+095+1759410; 7+095+2619581 Fax: 7+095+1585671; 7+095+2619581

Present Status of Research

Brief Description of Research

The goal of the project is to elaborate an original system for the performance of all basic operations of image processing and image analysis for pictures represented as sets of lines based on the development of essentially new methods, and its application in aerospace photography, paper production, quality control, electron microscopy, etc.

So far, a mathematical theory of fiber processes has been developed and some results, concerning statistics of these processes, have been derived. However, methods of image processing and analysis are yet to be developed for pictures described by such processes. Traditional methods of image processing are ineffective for pictures of this kind.

It is proposed to elaborate radically new methods of image processing which are based on properties of pictures described by fiber processes. Compared with traditional methods of image processing, it is proposed to take as a base the fact that the desired signal is represented in the form of a set of lines.

Scientific Papers

Nagao, M. and Matsuyama, T., Edge Preserving Smoothing, Computer Graphics and Image Processing, 1979, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 394–407.

Nagao, M. and Matsuyama, T., Edge Preserving Smoothing, Proceedings 9th International Conference on Pattern Recognition, Kyoto, Japan, 1978, pp. 518520.

Tomita, F. and Tsuji, S., Extraction of Multiple Regions by Smoothing in Selected Neighborhoods, IEEE Trans. Systems, Cybern., 1977, vol. 7, pp. 107–109.

On an Algorithm of Reconstruction of Functions, Zh. Vychisl. Mat. Mat. Fiz., 1987, vol. 27, no. 5, pp. 771–776.

Image Restoration by the Regularization Method, Zh. Vychisl. Mat. Mat. Fiz., 1989, vol. 29, no. 11, pp. 1603–1610.

Dubonos, S.N., Gaifullin, B.N., and Ushakov, N.G., Statistical Image Restoration, Computers Math. Applic., 1990, vol. 19, no. 1, pp. 39–45.

Ushakov, N.G., Models and Algorithms of Image Processing of Local SEM Diagnostics, J. Cryst. Growth, 1990, vol. 103, pp. 413–419.

Kotelnikova, L.N. and Ushakov, N.G., Data Smoothing Based on L-1 Minimization and Its Applications in Signal Processing, Proceedings of the 13th IMACS World Congress on Computation and Applied Mathematics, vol. 4, 1991, Dublin, Ireland, pp. 1730–1731.

№-0126 Super-Short-Pulse Radiolocation Technology for Developing New Radars

Full Title:	The Use of Super-Short-Pulse Radiolocation Technology for Developing New Radars and Modernizing Existing Radars for Dispatcher Service in Airports and Seaports
Technology Field(s):	PHY-RAW: Physics / Radiofrequency Waves

Contributors

Vasily A Shelokov

CCB "ALMAZ" (ALMAZ) 80, Leningradskii pr., Moscow, 111024, Russia Phone: 7+095+1759410; 7+095+2619581 Fax: 7+095+1585671; 7+095+2619581

Present Status of Research

Brief Description of Research

Obtaining a radar with high-power resolution has been a well-known problem for a long time [1, 2]. This problem is very practical for detecting small objects in ground clutter. But the problem of high resolution in radiolocation is hardly connected with obtaining sufficient energy of radiolocation signals. Since generators of super-short pulses with sufficient power were absent, the problem of high-power resolution by middle power of radiopulses with sufficient energy was solved by using comparatively long radiopulses with internal pulse modulation. Such signals in principal have side lobes in the range of autocorrelation functions in two time intervals of no compressed pulses. These side lobes limit the resolution power of such signals in the case of different cross sections (RCS) of closely placed objects. The methods of reducing these side lobes by introducing different weight functions in the signals are not sufficiently effective, because such methods cannot, in many cases, solve the problem of resolution and detection of objects in ground clutter. Short pulses without a carrier frequency are used to sound the ground, to search for mines, etc.

Descriptions of the generation and use of such pulses can be found in many books and articles [3]. In the literature, an opinion was expressed that such signals can overcome Stealth technology. But a commission of well-known US scientists [4] did not confirm this opinion. Mentions of short pulses can be found in literature [1], but, in fact, besides the works of authors of the present abstract, theoretical and experimental studies of super-short-pulse radiolocation for practical needs are absent. The problem of developing generators and amplifiers of super-short radiopulses (units of ns) and very high pulse power (units of GW) was studied by well-known scientists B.V. Bunkin, G.A. Mesyats, A.M. Prohorov, and A.V. Gaponov-Grehov. An estimation of the possibilities of short pulses without a carrier frequency was studied by M. Skolnik, H. Harmuth, E. Tompson, and others. But the problem and practical realization of super-short pulse radiolocation has not yet been addressed.

The technology of super-short-pulse radiolocation is based on generating and processing radiopulses with a duration of 5–10 ns. Radars with super-short pulses allow some unique properties to be obtained that make it possible to solve the problem of detecting and observing small objects in ground clutter, which cannot be accomplished by current radars with conventional signals, including signals with internal pulse modulation, and other means (television, IR, etc.). The nanosecond radiopulse radar is a weatherproof device for observation. It has the same exactness and resolution power of angle-coordinates as conventional radars (these characteristics depend on the antenna system), but has certain advantages: — a high range of resolution power 0.5–1 m; — detection and observation of small moving and fixed objects, including people, in ground clutter and reflections from green; — detection, observation, and coordinate measuring of small vessels in reflections from a stormy sea; — detection and coordinate measuring of small objects situated close to other objects (houses, mountains, etc.) with different RCS (a difference more than 30 dB); — high authenticity in distinguishing object types on the basis of range portraits, provided by the high resolution power and observation of separate bright points; — moving target indication (MTI) without "blind velocities" or "blind ranges”.

These advantages are based on the absence of side lobes in the range autocorrelation function of rectangular radiopulses (unlike pulses with internal pulse modulation) and on specific characteristics in the structure of reflected signals from objects by using super-short radiopulses. These specific characteristics lead to a "contrast effect.” The "contrast effect" permits the detection of fixed and moving objects in ground clutter without special processing. The observation of moving objects is increased by using the MTI algorithm.

The currently developed elementary database and technology allows, with the use of the experimental device, all basic performances of super-short-pulse radiolocation to be confirmed. These performances permit the elaboration of a radar technology which can have wide applications in different branches of industry and, especially, in dispatcher control of transportation. By using super-short-pulse radars in airports, the following problems are solved: — control of the airport area in any meteorological conditions and at any time; — observing moving people, planes, cars, and other objects; — distinguishing the class of objects; — observing the position of objects by putting the radiolocation map on a topographic map; — guarding the airport area by controlling nonsanctioned movements of objects and people.

In seaports, the super-short-pulse radar can provide: — navigation control of sea vessels in complicated ports and near the coast (fiords) in complicated meteorological conditions (snow, clouds, fog, etc.), because it is possible to see navigation buoys and obstacles which are situated close to ships (1 m); — distinction of small vessels and ship types.

Almaz design bureau currently has a scientific technical and elementary database to fulfill the development of new special nanosecond radars and modernization of existing airport and seaport radars by including in such radars the apparatus of nanosecond radiolocation. The inclusion of the nanosecond mode permits the characteristics of existing radars to be considerably improved.