Sensors Directorate and ATR Overviewfor Integrated Fusion, Performance Prediction, and Sensor Management for ATE MURI

21 July 2006

Lori WesterkampSensor ATR Technology DivisionSensors DirectorateAir Force Research Laboratory

AFRLMGen T. BowldsXPStaffAirVehiclesSpaceVehiclesInformationMunitionsDirectedEnergyAFOSRMaterials &Manu-facturingSensorsPropulsionHumanEffectivenessAFRL Technology Directorates

Sensors DirectorateOur MissionRobust sensors and adaptive countermeasures that guarantee complete freedom of air and space operations for our forces, and deny these capabilities to our adversaries at times and places of our choosing.To lead the discovery, development, and integration of affordable sensor and countermeasure technologies for our warfighters.

Our Vision

Sense, identify, and track all air and surface targets and threats world wide and in all weather

Counter difficult targets (WMD, hidden, LO)

Protect air and space assets

Control the battlespace electromagnetic spectrum

Rapidly prosecute time-critical targets and threatsPriority Warfighter Needs Being Addressed by Sensors Directorate Balance: Performance & Affordability

Sensors Directorate Technology Thrusts Radio Frequency Sensors & CountermeasuresElectro-Optical Sensors & CountermeasuresAutomatic Target Recognition & Sensor Fusion

Signatures & Modeling Assessment & Foundation Innovative Algorithms

Enabling Sub-thrusts Radio Frequency Apertures Algorithms & Phenomenology Digital Receivers & Exciters Reference Systems Components

Transmitters & Receivers Phenomenology & Algorithms Optical AperturesApplication Sub-thrusts Battlespace Access Persistent ISR of the Battlespace Prosecution of Time Sensitive Targets

Potential Growth Areas Hidden Target Detection & Identification

Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) & Sensor Fusion Electronic Warfare

Time Critical Targeting (TCT)

ATR ScopeGEOLOCATEFINDTRACKIDM60FUNCTIONSSENSORSMATURATION PROCESSAlgorithmsSignaturesAssessment

ATR ApproachChallenge ProblemsStandard MetricsATR TheoryCharacterized PerformanceHigh Performance ComputingOperational DatabasesASSESSMENT& FOUNDATIONSensor Data Management System (SDMS)INNOVATIVE ALGORITHMSFIND FIX TRACK & IDPhenomenology ExplorationEM ModelingSynthetic DataOperational Target Models/Databases

SIGNATURES & MODELINGSignatureCenter

ATR FacilitiesSensor Data Management System (SDMS)Signature CenterAdvanced Recognition Capability (ARC) Facility

Operating Conditions (OCs)

How can we make ATR easier?Better FeaturesGreater discriminating powerLess variabilityBetter DataResolution, dwell, persistence, Multiple sources (modes, looks, phenomenologies)Often conflicting!Fuel DrumsSide FendersSmoke CanistersLength 6.9mWidth 3.6mHeight 2.2m

Length 6.6mWidth 3.5mHeight 2.4m

T-72T-62

ATR-Driven SensingCueing, Prioritization for the Human

Clear Box View of ATREnvironmentDetectTrackGeolocateIDSensorTargetATR DecisionsHuman DecisionsTrainedFeaturesTemplatesModelsTarget KnowledgeFeatureExtractorDiscriminatorDecisionRuleTarget KnowledgeTarget Models &Database

Multiple Sensor ATRTarget Models &DatabaseEnvironmentDetectTrackGeolocateIDSensor(s)TargetATR DecisionsHuman Decisions

ATR Theory GoalsPerformance PredictionAlgorithm (or feature) dependent As a function of sensing, target, and environment conditionsTool for developers (how will this new feature help?), maturers (does this work well enough for my application?), and users (is this system going to work in my scenario today?)Performance BoundsAlgorithm independent performance limitsAs a function of sensing, target, and environment conditionsIs the limit the algorithm (keep working) or the sensor (motivate sensor improvements)?Performance ModelsPackaged tools from Performance Prediction usable by sensor management and fusion algorithms to weigh sensor contribution

Growing ATR ComplexityEnvironmentsTargetsMilitary VehiclesAircraftCivilian VehiclesDismountsOpenForestedUrbanFunctionTougher ClutterMore ObscurationSmallerMore VariableDetectTrackIDMore Specific