Real-time, PC-based Color Fusion Displays

Color fusion has been developed to simultaneously display multi-spectral data to the human viewer for the purpose of target detection discrimination and identification. Real-time capability of a color fusion system allows interactive laboratory testing of issues such as band selection and comparison of fusion algorithms. Proof of real time capabilities of the system is necessary to expedite transition to the fleet. NRL had developed two inexpensive systems for displaying color fusion algorithms real-time with PCs and COTS hardware. The systems are general and capable of processing data from any cameras, but are demonstrated with specific infrared and visible cameras. The infrared and visible cameras are bore-sighted with no common optic. With these two systems, it is possible to rapidly change camera combinations andor fusion algorithms to capture data with multiple system arrangements at the field site. Viewing the fused data, as it is collected, allows us to capture a variety of interesting phenomenology which demonstrate the advantages of color fusion.