Prediction of thermal crossover based on imaging measurements over the diurnal cycle

Abstract

Thermal crossover is the phenomenon where the infrared signatures of two different objects in a scene are indistinguishable. A prediction method was developed where a series of infrared images is used as the basis to predict thermal crossover under different climatic conditions. Image recordings are made over the full diurnal cycle, for a fixed scene. We then develop a theoretical thermal model, describing dynamic temporal behaviour. Using the recorded images, the model parameters required to describe the temporal behaviour of the observed scene, are determined. The model, with the appropriate model parameters, is then used to create a new image sequence, predicting the scene appearance under different climatic conditions. The new image sequence is used to predict thermal crossover under the new set of climatic conditions. The paper closes with conclusions and recommendations for future work.