公开(公告)号：US10236980B1

公开(公告)日：2019-03-19

申请号：US16002052

申请日：2018-06-07

Applicant: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.

Inventor： Robert T Carlson ,  Dennis P Bowler ,  David C Donarski ,  David A Haessig, Jr. ,  Stuart M Lopata ,  Dale A Rickard

IPC: H04B10/112 ,  H04B10/118 ,  G06K9/62 ,  H04B10/079 ,  G06T7/13

Abstract: A disclosed apparatus and method detect light source “hotspots” and recognize laser communication signals within a scene, while minimizing repeat consideration of previously detected light sources. Local maxima are identified in pixel frames from a focal plane array (FPA), and compared with a table of previous detections. FPA frames can be used directly for hotspot detection, or successive FPA frames can be subtracted for edge detection. Most recent detection frame numbers, coordinates, signal values, and/or other information can be updated in the table upon repeat detection of a hotspot. Source identifying information can be included in the table for entries that are identified as laser communication signals. Source identifying features can be evaluated so that only signals of interest are saved in the table. Hotspots that remain undetected after a designated number of frames can be deleted from the table.