Min-local-LoG filter for detecting small targets in cluttered background

A novel spatial filtering method is presented to detect small targets in a cluttered background for infrared search and track (IRST). The filtering process of localised directional Laplacian-of-Gaussian (LoG) filtering, and the minimum selection can then remove false detections around cloud edges maintaining a small target detection capability. Experimental results validate the feasibility of the proposed method (called min-local-LoG).