基于统计模型组的Markov SAR图像分割

该文首先介绍SAR图像分割的概念,分析了其地物数据的统计特性,在此基础上利用多种模型构成的统计模型组来匹配大幅SAR图像中各类地物的直方图分布,给出了衡量实际地物直方图和假设已知模型匹配程度的检验统计量,以此来选取最优的统计模型组;并提出了基于统计模型组的Markov随机场的SAR图像分割算法,利用Radarsat的实测数据验证了算法的有效性,给出了性能评估结果,并与其它分割方法做了比较。     

基于马尔可夫随机场的SAR目标切片图像分割方法

SAR目标切片图像分割是基于SAR图像目标识别的一个重要步骤。文中通过利用马尔可夫随机场模型 ,引入图像象素的局部结构信息 ,有效实现了SAR目标切片图像的高精度分割。通过对SAR目标切片图像进行统计分析 ,精确选择了分割算法的迭代初值 ,极大提高了算法的计算效率。和其它分割算法相比 ,文中算法在分割速度和精度上均有较大提高     

基于稀疏表示的SAR地面目标分割技术

提出了一种引入先验约束的合成孔径雷达(SAR)图像的目标分割技术,以解决强杂波背景干扰下的目标分割困难问题。不同于基于统计理论的目标检测,文中利用目标图像切片在图像域的稀疏性,通过稀疏分解的方法构建目标特征窗函数实现目标的检测,并引入目标的形状先验对目标区域进行修正;然后,利用目标阴影的空间约束对基于统计检测的阴影区域进行修正,实现目标的分割;最后,基于实测数据验证了算法的有效性。     

一种全自动的MSTAR SAR目标图像分割方法

狄利克雷过程混合模型(Dirichlet Process Mixture,DPM)作为一种非参数概率统计模型,可以有效应用于SAR图像的非监督分类。文中提出一种全自动的MSTAR坦克SAR图像分割方法。该方法首先基于DPM确定出图像中的类别数目,接着使用马尔科夫随机场(Markov Random Field,MRF)对所得图像类别概率的空间邻域关系进行描述,然后结合标号代价能量优化算法获取最终的分割结果。该方法在不需要人为指定待分割图像类别个数的同时,能较好地保证分割结果的合理性与连贯性。在MSTAR SAR数据上的实验表明了其有效性。     

Knowledge-based segmentation of SAR data with learned priors

An approach for the segmentation of still and video synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is described. A priori knowledge about the objects present in the image, e.g., target, shadow and background terrain, is introduced via Bayes' rule. Posterior probabilities obtained in this way are then anisotropically smoothed, and the image segmentation is obtained via MAP classifications of the smoothed data. When segmenting sequences of images, the smoothed posterior probabilities of past frames are used to learn the prior distributions in the succeeding frame. We show with examples from public data sets that this method provides an efficient and fast technique for addressing the segmentation of SAR data.     

基于表征转换机的SAR图像目标分割方法

针对SAR(Synthetic Aperture Radar)图像中的目标分割问题,由于目标与杂波空间模式(像素强度和分布)不同,通过分析图像空间模式的方式可达到分辨目标和杂波并分割目标的目的。该文基于表征转换机理论提出一种有效的SAR图像目标分割方法,该算法分析SAR图像中的空间模式,计算其与参考杂波图像的相似程度,最后将与参考杂波相似程度较高的部分消除以达到分割目标的目的,并在衡量相似度部分使用基于累积直方图的自动阈值选取办法。仿真和实测数据的实验验证了此算法的有效性。      

一种基于二维最大熵的SAR图像自适应阈值分割算法

MSTAR目标图像分割是研究SAR图像分割的重要内容,基于最大熵原理,利用二维直方图设计适应度函数,借助遗传算法实现自适应阈值选取,以确定每个像素点的归属,经实际图像测试,对于含噪SAR图像中目标、背景和阴影的分割具有很好的效果,抑噪功能强.     

一种柔性自适应SAR 图像目标分割算法

合成孔径雷达(SAR)图像分割是SAR 图像处理的基础,国内外研究者提出了很多行之有效的分割方法。典型的算法如基于单阈值形态学分割算法、基于马尔科夫随机场的分割算法等。然而,考虑实际需求,图像分割需要同时兼顾快速性和准确性,这是当前手段相对缺乏的。文中提出了一种柔性自适应SAR 图像目标分割算法,将峰值点的提取过程与恒虚警率检测算法相结合分割SAR 图像中的目标。该算法可以将散射中心信息融入到目标分割中,同时完成目标分割和峰值点提取,是一种快速而又精确的图像分割算法。最后,该文基于数据集对算法进行了验证,证实了该算法的合理性与可行性。     

一种基于中心矩特征的SAR图像目标识别方法

合成孔径雷达自动目标识别是目前国内外模式识别领域的重点研究课题之一.本文给出了一种内存需求小,低计算复杂度且具有较好识别性能的SAR图像目标识别方法,先通过自适应阈值分割来获得目标图像,然后提取其中心矩特征,采用SVM来进行识别.基于美国MSTAR实测数据的识别试验验证了该方法的有效性.     

Multiscale segmentation and anomaly enhancement of SAR imagery

We present efficient multiscale approaches to the segmentation of natural clutter, specifically grass and forest, and to the enhancement of anomalies in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. The methods we propose exploit the coherent nature of SAR sensors. In particular, they take advantage of the characteristic statistical differences in imagery of different terrain types, as a function of scale, due to radar speckle. We employ a class of multiscale stochastic processes that provide a powerful framework for describing random processes and fields that evolve in scale. We build models representative of each category of terrain of interest (i.e., grass and forest) and employ them in directing decisions on pixel classification, segmentation, and anomalous behaviour. The scale-autoregressive nature of our models allows extremely efficient calculation of likelihoods for different terrain classifications over windows of SAR imagery. We subsequently use these likelihoods as the basis for both image pixel classification and grass-forest boundary estimation. In addition, anomaly enhancement is possible with minimal additional computation. Specifically, the residuals produced by our models in predicting SAR imagery from coarser scale images are theoretically uncorrelated. As a result, potentially anomalous pixels and regions are enhanced and pinpointed by noting regions whose residuals display a high level of correlation throughout scale. We evaluate the performance of our techniques through testing on 0.3-m resolution SAR data gathered with Lincoln Laboratory's millimeter-wave SAR.     

一种基于非参数密度估计和马尔可夫上下文的SAR图像分割算法

在研究传统的基于参数的合成孔径雷达(SAR)图像统计模型基础上,为了精确估计高分辨率SAR图像的统计分布,该文提出了一种结合基于核函数的非参数估计和马尔可夫上下文的SAR图像分割算法。该算法首先采用基于核函数的非参数方法估计SAR图像的统计分布,然后将此统计量作为图像分割的似然函数,利用马尔可夫上下文约束进行SAR图像分割。该文通过软件仿真对新算法和基于参数的统计模型的算法的效果进行了比较。研究发现,基于核函数的非参数估计方法仅仅依赖实际数据,在无法准确获取分布函数解析式的情况下往往具有更好的效果。实验证明,基于核函数的非参数估计方法对高分辨率SAR图像中较为复杂的场景如城区的提取取得了更为满意的结果。     

Signal subspace change detection in averaged multilook SAR imagery

This paper addresses change detection in averaged multilook synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery. Averaged multilook SAR images are preferable to full-aperture SAR reconstructions when the imaging algorithm is approximation-based (e.g., polar format processing) or when motion data are not accurate over a long full aperture. We examine the application of a SAR change-detection method, known as signal subspace processing, which is based on the principles of two-dimensional adaptive filtering, and we use it to recognize the addition of surface landmines to a particular area under surveillance. We describe the change-detection problem as a trinary hypothesis testing problem, and define a change signal and its normalized version to determine whether: 1) there is no change in the imaged scene; 2) a target has entered the imaged scene; or 3) a target has exited the imaged scene. A statistical analysis of the error signal is provided to show its properties and merits. Results are presented for averaged noncoherent multilook and coherent single-look X-band SAR imagery.     

采用热核特征的SAR图像目标识别

为了解决SAR图像受相干斑噪声干扰和震后发生形变而识别率偏低的问题,提出了一种新的仿射、形变不变特征-热核特征,并将该特征用于SAR图像目标识别.首先采用推广的核模糊C-均值方法分割SAR图像,提取SAR图像目标形状;接着对目标形状进行Delaunay三角剖分,采用余切权重法对Laplace-Beltrami Operator离散化,通过离散化Laplace-Beltrami Operator特征值、特征向量求每一点热核特征;然后采用谱距离公式对点点间热核距离计算,转化为距离分布表示目标形状的热核特征;最后采用L1相似性准则对图像进行相似性度量,得到识别结果.实验表明:与经典的Hu不变矩方法相比,对于仿射变换和发生形变的SAR图像,该方法都具有更高的识别率.因此,基于热核特征的SAR图像识别方法是一种更加有效的识别方法.     

Stochastic Contrast Measures for SAR Data: A Survey

“Contrast” is an generic denomination for “difference”. Measures of contrast are a powerful tool in image processing and analysis, e.g., in denoising, edge detection, segmentation, classification, parameter estimation, change detection, and feature selection. We present a survey on techniques that aim at measuring the contrast between (i) samples of SAR imagery, and (ii) samples and models, with emphasis on those that employ the statistical properties of the data.      

Filament Preserving Model (FPM) Segmentation Applied to SAR Sea-Ice Imagery

Modeling spatial context constraints using a Markov random field (MRF) has been widely used in the segmentation of noisy images. Its applicability to synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sea-ice segmentation has also been demonstrated recently. However, most existing MRF models are not capable of preserving filaments, specifically leads and ridges for SAR sea ice, which are valuable for ship navigation applications and necessary for identifying certain ice types. In this paper, a new statistical context model is proposed that, within the same scene, can simultaneously preserve narrow elongated features while producing similar smooth segmentation results comparable to typical MRF-based approaches. Tested on one synthetic image and two SAR sea-ice scenes, this filament preserving model substantially improves classification accuracies when compared to standard Gaussian mixture and MRF-based segmentation algorithms     

Segmentation of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar data

A statistical image model is proposed for segmenting polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data into regions of homogeneous and similar polarimetric backscatter characteristics. A model for the conditional distribution of the polarimetric complex data is combined with a Markov random field representation for the distribution of the region labels to obtain the posterior distribution. Optimal region labeling of the data is then defined as maximizing the posterior distribution of the region labels given the polarimetric SAR complex data (maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimate). Two procedures for selecting the characteristics of the regions are then discussed. Results using real multilook polarimetric SAR complex data are given to illustrate the potential of the two selection procedures and evaluate the performance of the MAP segmentation technique. It is also shown that dual polarization SAR data can yield segmentation resultS similar to those obtained with fully polarimetric SAR data     

A new statistical model for Markovian classification of urban areas in high-resolution SAR images

We propose a classification method suitable for high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images over urban areas. When processing SAR images, there is a strong need for statistical models of scattering to take into account multiplicative noise and high dynamics. For instance, the classification process needs to be based on the use of statistics. Our main contribution is the choice of an accurate model for high-resolution SAR images over urban areas and its use in a Markovian classification algorithm. Clutter in SAR images becomes non-Gaussian when the resolution is high or when the area is man-made. Many models have been proposed to fit with non-Gaussian scattering statistics (K, Weibull, Log-normal, Nakagami-Rice, etc.), but none of them is flexible enough to model all kinds of surfaces in our context. As a consequence, we use a mathematical model that relies on the Fisher distribution and the log-moment estimation and which is relevant for one-look data. This estimation method is based on the second-kind statistics, which are detailed in the paper. We also prove its accuracy for urban areas at high resolution. The quality of the classification that is obtained by mixing this model and a Markovian segmentation is high and enables us to distinguish between ground, buildings, and vegetation.     

A unifying framework for partial volume segmentation of brain MR images

Accurate brain tissue segmentation by intensity-based voxel classification of magnetic resonance (MR) images is complicated by partial volume (PV) voxels that contain a mixture of two or more tissue types. In this paper, we present a statistical framework for PV segmentation that encompasses and extends existing techniques. We start from a commonly used parametric statistical image model in which each voxel belongs to one single tissue type, and introduce an additional downsampling step that causes partial voluming along the borders between tissues. An expectation-maximization approach is used to simultaneously estimate the parameters of the resulting model and perform a PV classification. We present results on well-chosen simulated images and on real MR images of the brain, and demonstrate that the use of appropriate spatial prior knowledge not only improves the classifications, but is often indispensable for robust parameter estimation as well. We conclude that general robust PV segmentation of MR brain images requires statistical models that describe the spatial distribution of brain tissues more accurately than currently available models.     

Estimation of the Equivalent Number of Looks in Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery

This paper addresses estimation of the equivalent number of looks (ENL), an important parameter in statistical modeling of multilook synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. Two new ENL estimators are discovered by looking at certain moments of the multilook polarimetric covariance matrix, which is commonly used to represent multilook polarimetric SAR (PolSAR) data, and assuming that the covariance matrix is complex Wishart distributed. First, a second-order trace moment provides a polarimetric extension of the ENL definition and also a matrix-variate version of the conventional ENL estimator. The second estimator is obtained from the log-determinant matrix moment and is also shown to be the maximum likelihood estimator under the Wishart model. It proves to have much lower variance than any other known ENL estimator, whether applied to single-polarization or PolSAR data. Moreover, this estimator is less affected by texture and thus provides more accurate results than other estimators should the assumption of Gaussian statistics for the complex scattering coefficients be violated. These are the first known estimators to use the full covariance matrix as input, rather than individual intensity channels, and therefore to utilize all the statistical information available. We finally demonstrate how an ENL estimate can be computed automatically from the empirical density of small sample estimates calculated over a whole scene. We show that this method is more robust than procedures where the estimate is calculated in a manually selected region of interest.