Evaluation of a color fused dual-band NVG

Maarten A. Hogervorst; Alexander Toet

doi:10.1117/12.819114

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13 April 2009 Evaluation of a color fused dual-band NVG

Maarten A. Hogervorst, Alexander Toet

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Proceedings Volume 7345, Multisensor, Multisource Information Fusion: Architectures, Algorithms, and Applications 2009; 734502 (2009) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.819114
Event: SPIE Defense, Security, and Sensing, 2009, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

We have tested a prototype dual-band NVG system consisting of two NVGs fitted with filters that split the NVG sensitive range into a short (visual) and a long wavelength (NIR) band. The Color-the-night technique (see Hogervorst & Toet, SPIE D&S '08) was used to fuse the images of the two sensors. We designed a color scheme especially optimized for the detection of camouflaged targets. The added value of this system was evaluated in an experiment in which observers had to detect targets (green and blue tubes). Daytime images were taken with a normal camera, and NVG images were recorded at night. Performance was tested for i) the visual band only, ii) the NIR-band only, iii) normal NVG, iv) daytime imagery and v) color fused dual-band NVG. The results show that some targets were detected in the individual bands, but most targets were detected in the dual-band system, with performance comparable to that of the band optimally presenting that particular target. Our evaluation shows the added value of dual-band over single band NVG for the detection of targets, and suggests better situational awareness and perceived depth.

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Maarten A. Hogervorst and Alexander Toet "Evaluation of a color fused dual-band NVG", Proc. SPIE 7345, Multisensor, Multisource Information Fusion: Architectures, Algorithms, and Applications 2009, 734502 (13 April 2009); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.819114

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