Robert M. Gagliardi

Optical moving target detection with 3-D matched filtering

Three-dimensional (3-D) matched filtering has been suggested as a powerful processing technique for detecting weak, moving optical targets immersed in a background noise field. The procedure requires the processing of entire sequences of frames of optical scenes containing the moving targets. The 3-D processor must be properly matched to the target signature and its velocity vector, but will simultaneously detect all targets to which it is matched. The results of a study to evaluate the 3-D processor are presented. Simulation results are reported which show the ability of the processor to detect targets well below the background level. These results demonstrate the capability and robustness of the processor, and show that the algorithms, although somewhat complicated, can be implemented readily. Some effects on the number of frames processed, target flight scenarios, and velocity and signature mismatch are also presented. The ability to detect multiple targets is demonstrated. >

Application of Three-Dimensional Filtering to Moving Target Detection

The standard approach to the detection of a stationary target immersed within an optically observed scene is to use integration to separate the target energy from the background clutter. When the target is nonstationary and moves with fixed velocity relative to the clutter, the procedure for integrating the target signal is no longer obvious. In this paper it is shown that the problem of tracking a target having a fixed velocity can be cast into a general framework of three-dimensional filter theory. From this point of view, the target detection problem reduces to the problem of finding optimal three-dimensional filters in the three-dimensional transform domain and processing the observed scene via this filtering. The design of these filters is presented, taking into account the target, clutter, and optical detection models. Performance is computed for a basic clutter model, showing the effective increase in detectability as a function of the target velocity. The three-dimensional transform approach is readily compatible with VLSI array processing technology.

Design and performance analysis of wavelength/time (W/T) matrix codes for optical CDMA

Two-dimensional (2-D) codes for optical CDMA (OCDMA) are increasingly important because the code set size (cardinality) of such codes is large and the codes have good spectral efficiency, especially when compared to linear or direct sequence codes. As an example, the 2-D codes described in this paper (that use intensity modulation and direct detection, IM/DD) have a cardinality of 32, and their spectral efficiency is /spl sim/0.5 bit/s/Hz when a guard-time is used to avoid intersymbol interference. The cardinality is readily increased to 64-80, using the techniques described in the paper. The next best 2-D codes of comparable cardinality that use IM/DD tend to have a lower spectral efficiency (going like 1/K, where K is the cardinality) because they do not support multiple entries per row or per column of the code matrix. To improve on the spectral efficiency of the codes described in this paper, bipolar codes must be considered. Two-dimensional codes or matrices can be generated from pseudoorthogonal (PSO) sequences by means of simple quasigraphical operations. Important results of this construction are that both the cardinality and the spectral efficiency or information spectral density of the set of matrices is higher than that of the generating set of sequences. The matrices can be interpreted (implemented) as space/time (S/T) or wavelength/time (W/T) matrix codes for OCDMA applications. The resultant matrix codes are robust, have high information spectral density, and are effective wavelength multipliers. This paper describes the design and construction of the matrices; analyzes their performance from a communications viewpoint; describes their use as codes for the asynchronous, concurrent communication of multiple users; and analyzes the bit error rate performance based on capturing and modeling a typical network topology and performing a numerical modeling of the system.

PCM Data Reliability Monitoring Through Estimation of Signal-to-Noise Ratio

Reliability monitoring of digital pulse-code modulation (PCM) data in coherent transmission systems can be based upon online estimation of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver. Maximum likelihood SNR estimation is analyzed to determine the structure of the estimator and its ability to monitor error rates with a given degree of confidence. In particular, relationships between estimation confidence intervals, observation time, word error rates, and PCM word structure are developed.

A recursive moving-target-indication algorithm for optical image sequences

A recursive track-before-detect algorithm, producing potentially large signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) gains under realizable conditions, is described. The basic relation has the form of a linear, constant-coefficient difference equation with a unity magnitude damping factor. Known as recursive moving-target-indication (RMTI), this procedure adapts easily to digital processing and achieves SNR gains comparable to those from other robust track-before-detect algorithms. Examples are given to demonstrate the performance of the moving target indicator (MTI) procedure. >

Strategies for realizing optical CDMA for dense, high-speed, long span, optical network applications

Since the mid 1990s, the role of optical CDMA has expanded from local area networks to longer span, telecommunication-type networks. In order to play a significant role in these longer span, denser, higher data rate networks, optical CDMA code set must (1) have at least as many codes as dense wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) (i.e., more than eight codes); (2) operate at high data rates (i.e., greater than 2.5 Gb/s); and (3) propagate with high fidelity over the installed or installable fiber links. Most approaches to optical CDMA require narrow pulses, which are more susceptible to fiber impairments and may have lower spectral efficiency than conventional WDM modulation schemes such as non-return-to-zero (NRZ), so they do not meet these new requirements. Therefore, we have formulated a strategy which simultaneously increases the number of good codes (resulting in higher density) and reduces their code length (i.e., decreasing the number of time slots required thus enabling higher data rates for a given chip time): the strategy of matrix codes. In this paper, we describe the design of a set of eight matrix codes for operation at 2.5 Gb/s and evaluate their propagation over an existing 214 km network link by means of computer simulation. The results indicate that the codes propagate well if dispersion management is used. The paper also discusses a strategy for managing the multiaccess interference (MAI) in a bursty traffic environment.

Adaptive Optical Target Detection Using Correlated Images

A method for target detection that achieves clutter rejection by the use of multiple observations of the same target scene is developed. Multiple scene observations can be obtained by processing separate frequency bands of the same target scene or by recursively processing sequential observations in time. Optimal detection algorithms are developed, based on the assumption that the image intensity can be modeled as a variable mean spatial Gaussian process. Several fast detection algorithms are derived which make use of the fact that the covariance matrices of many optical and infrared (IR) images can be accurately approximated by diagonal matrices. These algorithms provide efficient solutions to the problem of processing multiple correlated scenes or multiple sequential imaging. Computer simulations based on actual optical and IR image data were used for checking the theoretical results. The new detection algorithms achieved performance improvement in detection signal-to-noise ratio of up to 10 dB over conventional target correlation methods.

Fiber-optic digital video multiplexing using optical CDMA

The use of laser pulsing in the form of code-division multiple access (CDMA) to multiplex a set of digital video signals over a fiber network is proposed. The laser pulsing is used to generate unique code sequence addresses which identify each source, and the video data are modulated on these sequences. Digital encoding using pulse position modulation (PPM) is proposed, having advantages that permit efficient integration of optical and electronic processing. Data recovery is achieved by optical correlation for sequence recognition, followed by standard electronic PPM decoding. The relation between key system parameters of the encoding, decoding, and optics is derived, and indicates that compressed video rates between 5 and 20 Mb/s/channel, with 25-50 channels, is possible with relatively standard hardware. Experimental breadboard results being carried out at USC on this system indicate the feasibility of the CDMA concept for fiber multiplexing.

M-ary Poisson Detection and Optical Communications

This paper presents an investigation of the problem of maximum likelihood detection of one of M Poisson processes in a background of additive Poisson noise. When the observables correspond to counts of emitted photoelectrons, the problem models a discrete version of a coherent M -ary optical communication system using photon counters in the presence of background radiation. Consideration is given to an average distance and a detection probability criterion. The advantages of an M -ary pulsed intensity set (Poisson intensities wholly concentrated in a single counting interval) are demonstrated. The performance of such intensity sets is exhibited in terms of error probabilities, pulse widths, signal-tonoise ratio, and channel capacity. Behavior as a function of number M of intensities is also discussed. By appropriate conversion these results may be used for determining power requirements in an optical pulse position modulation system.

Channel coding for asynchronous fiberoptic CDMA communications

Several studies have explored the feasibility and systems performance aspects of a code division multiple access (CDMA) format for fiberoptic networks. Previously discussed CDMA architectures would either have to tolerate a high bit error rate or be forced to use long code sequences in networks with even a moderate number of simultaneous users. The use of long sequences lowers the maximum achievable bit rate or places unrealistic requirements on the system hardware. This paper examines some of the possible improvements to system performance that could be realized by combining the CDMA format with external error correcting codes (ECCs) or a PPM format. It is determined that ECCs can be highly effective in lowering the BER, and/or increasing the achievable information bit rate and number of network users. The results are sufficiently encouraging to conclude that one should seriously consider including ECCs in any practical fiberoptic CDMA network. >