The WIPI Model Based on Multi-Scale Local Contrast Post-Processing for Infrared Small Target Detection

Abstract

According to the infrared patch image (IPI) model theory, the infrared image background has a low rank and the target is sparse. The low-rank model can be used to separate the background and identify the target. However, in a noisy environment, the recognition effect will be affected. The higher the noise, the harder it would be to detect a small target. The residual strong fault and background edges could reduce the detection rate and increase false alarms. The traditional IPI model is adaptable to the background with the lower noise. This paper combines weighted nuclear norm minimization (WNNM) optimization with sparse representation based on the local IPI model. The background details are described more prominently by improving the nuclear norm weighting factor. The target is much easier to detect under the specific bright clouds and ground buildings background with high noise. At the same time, post-processing with image local contrast analysis is performed to compare traditional spatial filtering and local infrared patch image model algorithms. Our method has a good suppression effect on complex noise backgrounds and achieves a higher signal to clutter ratio gain (SCRG). It could also improve the target detection rate and reduce false alarms.