Real-time data processor for the COMPASS hyperspectral sensor system

The NVESD COMPASS instrument is an airborne dispersive hyperspectral imager that covers the VNIR through SWIR bands and incorporates a real-time data processing system. The processing system consists of a Data Processing Computer (DPC) and an Operator Display/Control Computer (ODC). The high-performance DPC executes real-time sensor calibration and multiple spectral detection algorithms on 13 G4-processors in a Race++ switched backplane. The DPC sends three-band pseudo-color hyperspectral data, high-resolution target chips, and GPS/INS data to the ODC. The ODC outputs a geo-registered display of HSI color imagery with detection cue overlays. The COMPASS detection algorithms, which are particularly well suited to CC&D targeting applications, include the SSRX spectral anomaly detector, the NFINDR/STD spectral unmixing-based anomaly detector, 3) a supervised spectral matched filter (SSMF), and 4) Healey's invariant subspace detector. The DPC airborne component is VME-based in a compact, ruggedized chassis. The COMPASS real-time processor is a second-generation system based on NRL-sponsored WarHORSE demonstrations. This paper reviews the DPC system design, capabilities and performance.