Sensor optimization of camera direction for time-limited search performance

Abstract

The time-limited search model was developed for military operations for evaluating human search performance as a function of time, originally using static imagery but later expanded to accommodate moving sensor situations. Previously, we introduced an application for using this moving sensor search model to optimize a forward-facing sensor look-down angle for a given forward vehicle speed. In this work, we build on the optimization model to accommodate sensors that may be pointed in any direction, using coordinate transforms. This allows us to determine probability of detection for a given target as a function of a more generalized camera pointing direction. While this methodology may be applied for any target of interest such as road potholes, tanks, or IEDs, here we determine probability of detection of a Burmese python against a grass background.