Automated Pixel Geo-Registration for Precise Imaging

We study the problem of sensor calibration as it might be applied to a tactical UAV system where operability and robustness are paramount. A large number of airframes and diversity of sensor types argues for an approach that is low cost (exploiting calibration targets in the field) and applicable for various sensors. The study considers various approaches to sensor calibration and measurements enabling such calibrations with the objective of not sacrificing accuracy even when only limited prior knowledge about the sensor is provided to the calibration algorithm. Calibration approaches are verified by computer simulation and the limits on accuracy for individual measurements are established using flight data from SPIRITT (or NRL or simulated scenes). A baseline calibration approach is recommended and an implementation is developed that can be carried forward into Phase II.