An introduction to hyperspectral imaging and its application for security, surveillance and target acquisition

This paper introduces the concept and principles of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and it briefly outlines how the defence and homeland security sectors can benefit from the application of this extremely versatile technology. This paper outlines the pros and cons of the various HSI system configurations, with particular emphasis on two of the most commonly deployed spectrograph techniques, namely, the dispersive system and the narrow-band tuning filter system. It describes how HSI can be utilized for target acquisition particularly when there is no a priori knowledge of the target, and then shows how it can be used for the recognition and tracking of targets with desired or known signature characteristics. The paper also briefly mentions the possibility of remote HSI being used for recognizing a human's physiological state such as that induced by stress or anxiety. Real experimental data collected during the course of our research have been utilized throughout this paper to help understand the versatility and effectiveness of HSI technology.