The primary function of the Feature Database (FDB) is to contain information about all the ground features seen so far in a sequence of aerial images. This information is organized so that features can be efficiently located and tracked into later images. As each new image is processed, the database grows to include more images and more features. Feature tracking is a basic component of a number of general-purpose computer vision algorithms, with wide applicability in aeronautical and space activities such as terrain modeling, mapping, GPS-denied navigation, and geo-registration. The Feature Database extends feature tracking capabilities, and should enhance its use in these kinds of applications.
The need for such a system became evident in extending the existing feature tracking techniques to a new step/stare camera system. This is a camera attached to a fast-moving gimbal, so that adjacent frames in the image sequence have very little overlap. The complicated motion means that one cannot assume a feature will appear in long sequences of images. More information needs to be stored to enable prediction of which features are likely to occur in which future frames, in order to track them efficiently. The Feature Database organizes all the required information.
The Feature Database has been applied in support of overseas DOD operations involving several planes in daily use for surveillance activities. The system uses images captured in flight to calibrate the pointing angle of the camera system to the inertial navigation system in near-real time, allowing for more accurate geo-registration of imagery. The system is automated to allow non-expert military personnel to perform the calibration on a regular basis.
This work was done by Daniel S. Clouse, Allen S. Parseghian, and Curtis W. Padgett of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Dan Broderick at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Feature Database
(reference NPO-49455) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) concerning the Feature Database (FDB), referenced as NPO-49455 in NASA Tech Briefs. It is part of the Commercial Technology Program aimed at disseminating aerospace-related developments with potential technological, scientific, or commercial applications.
The FDB is designed to manage and organize data collected from various aerial images, particularly those taken from planes flying at different altitudes. This database allows multiple applications to access the same data simultaneously, enhancing its utility for various research and operational purposes. The document emphasizes the importance of a robust data representation system that can function effectively whether records are stored in memory or in files, utilizing pointers or byte offsets as necessary.
The Technical Support Package outlines the collaborative efforts of JPL and the California Institute of Technology, acknowledging government sponsorship and the proprietary nature of some information contained within. It serves as a resource for those interested in the advancements in technology and research facilitated by NASA, particularly in the context of the Feature Database.
For further inquiries or assistance, the document provides contact information for the Innovative Technology Assets Management at JPL, encouraging engagement with the broader NASA Technology Transfer Program. It also includes a disclaimer regarding the liability of the United States Government and the use of proprietary information, clarifying that any trade names mentioned are for identification purposes only and do not imply official endorsement.
Overall, the document serves as a comprehensive overview of the Feature Database's capabilities, its significance in the field of aerospace technology, and the collaborative efforts behind its development, while also providing avenues for further exploration and inquiry into NASA's technological advancements.
