Complex background suppression based on fusion of morphological Open filter and nucleus similar pixels bilateral filter

To reduce the influences of the heavy clutter on infrared small target detection, a new background suppression algorithm is presented in this paper which depends on fusion of two different filters. The Nucleus Similarity Degree (NSD) of each pixel is analyzed first, then morphological Open filter which favors point target enhancement and the Nucleus Similar Pixels Bilateral Filter (NSPBF) which favors background prediction are fused. The complex background suppression and target enhancement can be accomplished more effectively by the fusion. Experimental results indicates that the method is efficient for background suppression under the condition of heavy clutter.

► We present a background suppression scheme which fuse filters of different types.
► We develop Nucleus Similarity Degree (NSD) which is a good descriptor in the fusion.
► Suppression and enhancement can be achieved at the same time by the fusion.
► Detection performance can be improved by the fusion.
► Good structure which inherited from spatial filter is maintained.