Date of Award

3-24-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering

Department

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

First Advisor

Michael J. Mendenhall, PhD.

Abstract

Human detection is an important first step in locating and tracking people in many missions including SAR and ISR operations. Recent detection systems utilize hyperspectral and multispectral technology to increase the acquired spectral content in imagery and subsequently better identify targets. This research demonstrates human detection through a multispectral skin detection system to exploit the unique optical properties of human skin. At wavelengths in the VIS and NIR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, an individual can be identified by their unique skin parameters. Current detection methods base the skin pixel selection criteria on a diffuse skin reflectance model; however, it can be observed that human skin exhibits a combination of specular and diffuse reflectance. The objective of this effort is to better characterize human skin reflectance by collecting image-based BRDF skin measurements for future model incorporation in the existing multispectral skin detection system. Integrating multispectral BRDF data should reduce misdetections and better describe skin reflectance as a function of illumination source, target, and detector orientation.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENG-MS-16-M-004

DTIC Accession Number

AD1054435

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