Detecting and tracking dim moving point target in IR image sequence

This paper presents a novel algorithm for detecting and tracking dim moving point target in IR image sequence with low SNR. Original images are preprocessed using temperature non-linear elimination and Top-hat operator, and then a composite frame is obtained by reducing the three-dimensional (3D) spatio-temporal scanning for target to 2D spatial hunting. Finally the target trajectory is tracked under the condition of constant false-alarm probability (CFAR). Based on the experimental results, the algorithm can successfully detect dim moving point target and accurately estimate its trajectory. The algorithm, insensitive to the velocity mismatch and the changes of statistical distribution of background or noise, is adaptable to real-time target detection and tracking.