Leuven, Belgium / Orlando, FL, 24.04.2011 --- Xenics, Europe's leading developer and manufacturer of advanced infrared detector solutions, will introduce at SPIE DSS 2011 the true fusion of images from different spectral ranges. This method offers decisive vision enhancement, which is especially needed in security applications. Therefore the first version comes as Meerkat Fusion. Xenics exhibits in Palms Hall, Booth # 3119.
The Meerkat camera series are high performance but cost effective infrared camera solutions for demanding international security communities. The easy to integrate IR camera configurations cover all the regions of the infrared spectrum: Shortwave Infrared (SWIR), Midwave Infrared (MWIR), Longwave Infrared (LWIR) and Very Longwave Infrared (VLWIR). With these cameras the security applications aren’t limited to just a part of the infrared spectrum.
One of the latest technology trends is a combination of images, each acquired in a different spectral range. The fusion of visual and SWIR or LWIR imaging, or alternatively of SWIR and LWIR enhances the vision of a scene and can set thermal accents in SWIR or visual images. This is actually a sophisticated combination of the reflected light from the visual range and the emitted light from the LWIR range. From another point of view it delivers information about the form factor (VIS) of an object, the temperature (LWIR) and even about the humidity (SWIR) of an object. One obvious application is early fire detection.
For this purpose the Meerkat Fusion camera is equipped with three cameras for the visual, SWIR and LWIR spectral ranges. Convenient software performs the image fusion, taking into account different resolutions of the sensor arrays and different focal lengths of the optics. Therefore the two selected camera signals are processed in two steps: registration and fusion. Prior to fusion necessary scaling, X-Y-shift and rotation must be done, because the detectors are spatially separated. For this purpose the registration performs feature detection, feature matching, transformation model estimation, image re-sampling and the mentioned transformation. The images are then fused using a selected fusing algorithm delivering a picture that is segmented into regions using specific properties such as movement or high temperature.
Conference contributions
At the SPIE DSS 2011 conference a paper will be presented highlighting Xenics’ expertise in image fusion with the Meerkat family:
The development of a multiband system for early detection of wildlife fires and indoor search and rescue operations
Conference 8029A, Tuesday, 26. April 2011, 5:20 PM – 5:40 PM
In the framework of the EU Firesense project (FP7-244088), several visible and infrared cameras are tested for the early detection of wildfires and to enhance the vision through smoke in indoor applications (e.g. parking lot fires). Images and detection are based on broadband imagery, as well as on imaging of narrow band features. This work includes as well the sensor fusion to combine images from multiple wavelength bands and the algorithms applied for the image segmentation and automatic fire and smoke detection.
About Xenics
Xenics is a leading developer of innovative infrared detection solutions for a wide range of applications. Xenics designs, manufactures and sells infrared detectors, modules and cameras, both line-scan and 2D, covering the infrared wavelength ranges from 0.4 to 14 micrometers. In addition, Xenics delivers custom products according to the agreed specification and planning. As a European vendor with a worldwide service and distributor network, Xenics is strategically placed to serve global markets with highly innovative products drawing on a strong science and technology background. | 
