Video-rate visible to LWIR hyperspectral imaging and image exploitation

Hyperspectral imaging provides the potential to extract information about objects in a scene that is unavailable to panchromatic imagers. This increased utility, however, comes at the cost of tremendously increased data. To have the broadest range of applications, extraction of the spectral information must occur in real-time. Attempting to produce and exploit complete cubes of hyperspectral imagery at video rates, however, presents unique problems, since data rates are scaled by the number of spectral planes in the cube. MIDIS (multi-band identification and discrimination imaging spectroradiometer) allows both real-time collection and processing of hyperspectral imagery over the range of 0.4 μm to 12 μm. We present the major design innovations associated with producing high-speed, high-sensitivity hyperspectral imagers operating in the VIS/NIR SWIR/MWIR and LWIR and of the electronics able to handle data rates up to 160 megapixels per second, continuously. Details of two realtime spectral imaging techniques used in MIDIS, dispersive and Fourier transform, are presented. Key to development of MIDIS are high-speed, high sensitivity arrays operating in the stated bands. Real-time algorithms able to exploit the spectral dimension of the imagery are also discussed. Beyond design and performance issues, the paper also discusses applications of real-time hyperspectral imaging technology, including problems such as mine detection, countering CC&D (camouflage, concealment, and deception), and counter terrorism applications.