Small target detection in infrared (IR) images has been widely applied for both military and civilian purposes. In this study, because IR images contain sparse and low-rank features in most scenarios, we propose an optimal IR patch-image (OIPI) model-based detection method to detect small targets in heavily cluttered IR images. First, the OIPI model was generated based on a conventional IR image model using a novel optimal patch size and sliding step adaptive selection algorithm. Secondly, the sparse and low-rank features of IR images were extracted and fused to generate an adaptive weighted parameter. Thirdly, the adaptive inexact augmented Lagrange multiplier (AIALM) algorithm was applied in the OIPI model to solve the robust principal component analysis (RPCA) optimization problem. Finally, an adaptive threshold method is proposed to segment and calibrate targets. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is capable of detecting small targets more stably and accurately, compared with state-of-the-art methods.
Reweighted infrared patch image model for small target detection based on non-convex ℒp-norm minimisation and TV regularisation
