Passive Optical Detection of Moving Targets

The paper discusses the passive optical detection of small-sized targets moving through the air at overhead levels. An experimental module for a standalone locator to operate in real time is presented together with methods usable within the actual implementation of the underlying designer project. Within the supporting tests, an algorithm was developed to detect small particles in a video sequence, and every image of the sequence was properly processed. The applied processing tools or methods included shape detection, filtering, statistic image analysis, and algorithms for the detection of moving objects; the images with recorded movement were stored on an SD card. The resolution of the moving object to be detected can correspond to a value as low as one pixel. Respecting the scope of the analyzed problems, the authors describe in detail not only the entire detection algorithm but also the results obtained from the test algorithm and the actual device.