Data fusion of IR and marine radar data

Avian monitoring system is developed based on data fusion of thermal/Infrared camera (IR) and marine radar. First data were processed separately using video/image processing and radar signal processing techniques and features of the targets are obtained by each sensor. Data fusion of radar and IR then is implemented to achieve feature vectors of the target. IR camera provides the coordinate information of the targets as well as some features such as flight´s straightness index, direction, and target´s heat, while the radar provides altitude information (z-coordinates) which is not provided by IR. So the data fusion of the IR and radar provide more detail and reliable information possible of the avian targets and their activity. Data was collected near Lake Erie in Ohio during 2011 spring and fall migration periods. Data analysis was performed in accordance to needs of wildlife biologists.