Feedback-integrated scene cancellation scene-based nonuniformity correction algorithm

Abstract. A new registration-based scene-based nonuniformity correction (SBNUC) technique called the feedback-integrated scene cancellation (FiSC) method is introduced, which demonstrates an ability to correct both high- and low-spatial frequency nonuniformity (NU) in infrared focal plane arrays. The theory of scene-cancellation is further developed to include a referencing mechanism that allows spatially correlated NU to be corrected, and a practical method of application is developed. The algorithm is suitable for implementation in a real-time processing environment such as a digital signal processor. A new metric called normalized root mean-squared error for quantifying SBNUC performance is introduced and applied. When applied to real data from a cooled HgTeCd focal plane, the FiSC algorithm outperforms other SBNUC algorithms considered when provided with accurate frame-to-frame image registration. An SBNUC simulation is described and applied to several SBNUC algorithms. When the most realistic case including both high- and low-spatial frequency NU is simulated, the FiSC algorithm outperforms all others tested.