Newsgroups: comp.sys.sgi.graphics,sci.image.processing,comp.sys.sgi.misc
Path: cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!das-news2.harvard.edu!news2.near.net!ll.mit.edu!fcr
From: fcr@ll.mit.edu (Frank Robey)
Subject: Q: Real-time video tracking
Message-ID: <1994Dec14.002109.27172@ll.mit.edu>
Originator: fcr@ll.mit.edu (Frank Robey)
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Organization: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Date: Wed, 14 Dec 94 00:21:09 GMT
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Xref: glinda.oz.cs.cmu.edu comp.sys.sgi.graphics:8047 sci.image.processing:11448 comp.sys.sgi.misc:15110

I am interested in doing some real-time tracking of objects that
are seen in video.  The objects are all bright against a fairly dark
background, for example, stars, satellites, and missile plumes.
The current video trackers that we use are about 15 years old
and need to be replaced.  The output of the video tracking is used
to point automated telescopes.  Because the missiles can manuever,
the update rate needs to be at about the frame rate of the video.

Has anyone successfully used a general purpose workstation such as
an SGI to do similar real-time tracking?

There are some SGI advocates here that claim it can be done without too
much problem.  When I do a quick operations count, I get 20 million
per second for some simple algorithms (integer adds and multiplies).
The algorithms that I looked at were a power-weighted centroid and peak
video and some simplification is possible (resolution/area trade-offs).

I have seen VME-based systems that can do real-time tracking,
but would rather use a general purpose workstation if possible.
A VME chassis will be used to control the telescopes in either case.

The telescopes are 24 inch Schmidt-Cassegrains with intensified video
cameras.  The cameras put out standard black and white NTSC video. 
In the future the cameras will have higher resolution.

Thanks,

I would appreciate any opinions on the subject!

Frank Robey  V73FR/N1PKT      Kwajalein Systems Engineering
Kwajalein, RMI                MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Latitude: 8 deg 43' 24",      Longitude: 167 deg 44' 12" E
P.O. Box 224                  (617) 981-0465 (shared)
APO, AP 96555                 fax: (617) 981-2473


