Abstract: A new method for partial image recognition and tracking in the infrared imaging terminal guidance is proposed for the problem of that the field-of-view of infrared seeker filled with target affects target recognition and tracking. The principle of infrared imaging guidance is analyzed. Five characteristic quantities, such as highlight region proportion, standard deviation of gray value, length-width ratio, compactness and complexity, are used as the criteria of feature extraction and target recognition. A fast target recognition algorithm suitable for missile is proposed. The change of target image projection area on seeker’s focal plane in the infrared imaging terminal guidance is calculated. The effects of missile-target distance and relative velocity on aircraft imaging are analyzed. The switching from centroid tracking to partial image tracking is studied. Considering reliability and real-time, the nose cone of aircraft is selected as the tracking point for partial image tracking. The simulation scene of infrared imaging guidance is built. The simulation results are analyzed. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively recognize the targets in the infrared images, decrease the blind area, and realize the steadily tracking in the infrared imaging terminal guidance.

Key words: control and navigation technology of aerocraft, infrared imaging guidance, infrared image, feature extraction, target recognition, centroid tracking, partial image tracking