A new infrared small and dim target detection algorithm based on multi-directional composite window

Abstract This work presents a new method based on gray characteristic analysis for infrared dim small target detection under complex backgrounds. Firstly, an improved detection window with eight directions and three layers is introduced to investigate the gray distribution characteristic of different structure in an infrared image. Secondly, we adopt a pretreatment process based on morphology filter and mean filter to reduce the running time and propose a detection rule on characteristic analysis for infrared targets. Meanwhile a new parameter optimization algorithm based on fuzzy control theory is employed so that the detection rule could be independent of the initial parameters. Finally, experimental results indicate that the proposed method can effectively detect the dim small targets and has better tracking performance.