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Mike Cathcart, Ph.D.
Group Lead

Remote Sensing: Multispectral Image Modeling

 

mike.cathcart@gtri.gatech.edu
Phone: 404-407-6028
Fax: 404-407-6131

 


Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory
Georgia Tech Research Institute
925 Dalney Street
Atlanta, GA 30332-0810
Background

Education

1997 Master of Science, Physics,
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA USA


1982 Doctor of Philosophy, Physics,
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA USA

 

1976 Bachelor of Science, Physics ,
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, GA USA

 

Employment History

1992–Present Senior Research Scientist
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Atlanta, GA USA

 

1986–1992 Research Scientist II
Georgia Tech Research Institute
Atlanta, Georgia USA

 

1984–1986 Member of Technical Staff
Dynetics, Inc.
Huntsville, AL USA

 

1982–1984 Geophysicist
Shell Offshore, Inc.
New Orleans, LA USA

 

Experience Summary

Currently working on directed energy technology, hyperspectral science, ultrashort pulse science, and electro-optical modeling activities with research into active system simulation, spectral and polarimetric analysis, terrain background models, and signature calculations in the visible and infrared wavebands. In addition, heading a 5-year, multi-university basic research team in understanding and exploiting electro-optical phenomenology for hyperspectral and polarimetric detection of landmines and ground targets. Also, leading research efforts for developing an active system simulation for active sensors and directed energy weapon systems and for understanding ultrashort pulse – material interactions. Prior research activities have focused on signature calculations for ladars, passive infrared imagers, and television systems, and developing electro-optical techniques for long-range target identification. Over the course of various technical efforts, developed a missile warning receiver model, a visible band signature model and led the effort which developed a multi-spectral signature generator which combined signature models for passive infrared, visible band, radar and ladar sensors. Has also developed a software emulation of a thermal sensor for use in a computer-based training device. Prior to this work, assisted with an investigation into the applicability of a 100-inch collimator for LIDAR measurements of high altitude atmospheric properties. In addition, led an investigation into the effects of background clutter levels on observer detection performance. 
 
At Dynetics, was a member of the Technical Staff assigned to the Electro-Optics Department. Work involved an analysis of LADAR system components and an evaluation of optical discrimination techniques, particularly those using active optical sensors. Both of these tasks were in support of the Strategic Defense Initiative Program. In addition, supervised the documentation and analysis of data obtained from the exploitation of a foreign weapon system. This latter task involved the development of digital procedures for noise reduction and signal enhancement.
 
While at Shell Offshore, engaged in software development, data analysis, and data acquisition for offshore seismic surveys. Primary activities involved the development of software models of subsurface velocities of the earth and the subsequent implementation of these velocity models into an operational data processing environment. Final assignment was the coordination of the data acquisition and processing activities of a seismic survey vessel and the incorporation of a prototype data acquisition system into field operations.
 
During graduate work, conducted measurements of the reflectivity of materials in the far infrared (i.e., THz region) and analyzed the modification in the oxidation behavior of titanium after ion implantation. In addition, evaluated the feasibility of using synchrotron radiation as a source for infrared radiation; this study was used to support the development of such a source at Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Current Fields of Interest

Electro-optical signature modeling; terrain modeling; and multi-spectral modeling techniques.

Reports & Publications

  1. "Model-based, Multi-sensor Aircraft Recognition," Proceedings of the 36th Annual Tri-Service Radar Symposium, 26-28 June 1990, with A.D. Sheffer, Jr. and W. L. Wooten,"

  2. "Final Report for the GTSIMS F-16C Target Model, J.N. Burch, J.M. Cathcart, Technical Report on Contract F29601-95-C-0052, November 1998,"

  3. "Methodology for Incorporating Multiple Reflections within an IR Signature Model, J.M. Cathcart, Technical Report on Contract No. DAAJ09-94-D-0026-00, December 1995,"

  4. "Thermal Shadow Modeling within a Physically-Based Scene Simulation," Proceedings of the SPIE, 1967 Characterization, Propagation, and Simulation of Sources and Backgrounds III, 1993,"

  5. "Synthetic Visible Imagery for Multi-attribute Target Identification," Proceedings of the SPIE 1310, 150-161, 1990, with A. D. Sheffer, Jr. and W. L. Wooten,"

  6. "Measurements on the Automatic Light Control for the TV Camera in the PAVE SPIKE AN/ASQ-153(V) Electro-Optical Target Designator System," Technical Memo RGTDA Task 88-5-2, 8 June 1989, with A. K. Garrison,"

  7. "Target Detection in Urban Clutter," IEEE Trans. on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics 19, (5) 1242-1250, September 1989, with T. J. Doll and D. E. Schmieder,"

  8. "Enhanced Atmospheric Models for IR Image Simulation," Proceedings of the SPIE, 1040: 112-119, 1989, with G. L. Galloway, A. D. Sheffer and W. L. Wooten,"

  9. "Sensitivity of the Detection Process to Urban Clutter," Interim Report, Air Force Contract F09603-85-G-3107, July 1987,"

  10. "Laser System Optical Discrimination," Teledyne Brown Engineering, Subcontract No. 7360, May 1986,"

  11. "GRANITE SCAR Flight Test Data," U.S. Army Missile Intelligence Agency, Contract No. DAAH01-83-C-A085, February 1986,"

  12. "Analysis of Laser Cross Section Variations for BMD Target Discrimination," Proceedings of the IRIS Conference on Active Systems, 1986, with B. J. Yuhas,"

  13. "Target Modeling Tools for Multi-sensor Target Identification," 1990 Combat Identification Systems Conference Technical Proceedings, 4-6 December 1990, with J. M. Baden, M. N. Cohen and V. B. Sylvester," ()

  14. "Multispectral Signature Modeling," Proceedings of the SPIE, 1700 296-304, 1992, with J. M. Baden, M. N. Cohen, S. L. Robertson, V. B. Sylvester and G. K. Williams," ()

  15. "Observer False Alarm Rate Effects on Target Resolution Criteria," Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Ground Target Modeling and Validation Conference, 20-21 August 1991, Houghton, MI, with T. J. Doll and D. E. Schmieder,"

  16. "Design and Performance of a 100-inch Lidar Facility," Optical Engineering 30 (1) 78-87 (January 1991), with R. C. DuVarney, A. K. Garrison, G. G. Gimmestad, S. C. Gimmestad, G. W. Grams, E. M. Patterson, D. W. Roberts and J. M. Servaites,"

  17. "Analysis of Model-based, Multi-Sensor Aircraft Data for Recognition," 1990 Combat Identification Systems Conference Technical Proceedings, 4-6 December 1990, with J. M. Baden, M. N. Cohen and V. B. Sylvester,"

  18. "Tactical Threat Engagement and Countermeasures Simulation System," Technical Report TR-A-9121 on Contract #DAAA21-90-D-0020, September 1992, with N. L. Faust, M. M. Horst, A. L. Mullikin and A. D. Sheffer,"

  19. "Generation and Application of High Resolution Infrared Computer Imagery," Optical Engineering 30, (11), pp. 1745-1755, November 1991, with A. D. Sheffer, Jr.,"

  20. "Computer Generated Infrared Imagery for Combat-vehicle Identification Training," Proceedings of the 35th Annual Human Factors Society Meeting, 2-6 September 1991, San Francisco, CA, with T. J. Doll, N. L. Faust, J. I. Montgomery and A. D. Sheffer, Jr.,"

  21. "Multi-Attribute Identification Analysis," Final Technical Report  on Contract F33615-88-C-1828, August 1991, with J. M. Baden, M. N. Cohen, V. B. Sylvester, et. al.,"

  22. "Wake Modeling for Theater Missile Defense, J.M. Cathcart, Technical Report on Contract DAAM01-94-C-0041 (January 1998),"

  23. "High Fidelity Spectral Rendering of Backgrounds,¿ Proceedings of the SPIE, 3085, Modeling, Simulation, and Visualization of Sensory Response for Defense Applications, 1997, with D. Bhaumik and N.L. Faust,"

  24. "MEGALIDAR Proof of Concept Demonstration," WRDC-TR-89-1100, November 1989, with A. K. Garrison, G. G. Gimmestad and D. Roberts,"

  25. "An Operator-Based Methodology for Infrared Countermeasure Evaluation," GTRI Report for FMC Corporation under Contracts 164582K and 168387M, 15 November 1989, with T. J. Doll and S. S. Steadman,"

  26. "High-Fidelity Infrared Scene Simulation at Georgia Tech,¿ Proceedings of the SPIE, 2740 High-Fidelity Simulation for Training, Test Support, Mission Rehearsal, & Civilian Applications, 1996, with A.D. Sheffer, Jr. and N.L. Faust,"

  27. "Validation and Verification and Modifications of GTSIMS,¿ Members of the Electro-Optics, Materials, and Environment Laboratory, Final Report on Contract No. F29601-89-C-0071 for U.S. Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center, 15 January 1995,"

  28. "Electro-Optical Sensor Design and Development Modeling,¿ W.R. Owens, L.Blakeslee, J.M. Cathcart, R.S. Hyde, S.C. Neel, L.J. Rodriguez, D.E. Schmieder, Final Report on Contract No. F33615-88-C-1865 for U.S. Air Force Wright Laboratory, August 1994,"

  29. "Background Clutter Models for Scene Simulation," Proceedings of the SPIE, 1938 Recent Advances in Sensors, Radiometric Calibration and Processing of Remotely Sensed Data, 1993, with N. L. Faust, L. J. Rodriguez and A. D. Sheffer,"

  30. "A Procedure for Studying Strategy Development in Humans, Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, and Computers, 27 (2), 224-228, 1995, with F.A. Gonzalez,"

  31. "Ocean Background Model for Scene Simulation," Proceedings of the SPIE, 1938 Recent Advances in Sensors, Radiometric Calibration, and Processing of Remotely Sensed Data, 1993, with A. D. Sheffer and J. M. Stewart,"

  32. "Infrared Target Detection in Structured Urban Scenes," Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Human Factors Society Meeting, 24-28 October 1988, Anaheim, CA, 2:1324-1328 (1988), with T. J. Doll and D. E. Schmieder,"

  33. "The State of the Art for Synthetic Image Generation of Infrared and Visible Scenes," AFWAL Report, June 1988, with A. D. Sheffer,"

  34. "Verification of an Infrared Signature Model for Digital Terrain Backgrounds, J.M. Cathcart and N.L. Faust, Proceedings of the SPIE, Visualization of Temporal and Spatial Data for Defense Applications II, Summer 1999,"

  35. "Target Detection in Urban Clutter," Proceedings of the Workshop on Detection, Discrimination, and Classification or Targets in Clutter, 13-15 November 1990, with T. J. Doll and D. E. Schmieder,"

  36. "Multi-Attribute Identification Analysis," Interim Technical Report on Contract F33615-88-C-1828, 7 July 1990, with M. N. Cohen and V. B. Sylvester,"

  37. "Synthetic Image Generation in the Infrared: A Complex Modeling Problem," National Computer Graphics Magazine, May 1989, with M. H. Hodges and A. D. Sheffer,"

  38. "Observer Detection Performance in Urban Clutter," AFWAL-TR-87-1157, March 1988, with T. J. Doll and D. E. Schmieder,"

  39. "Computer Generated IR Imagery: A First Principles Modeling Approach," Proceedings of the SPIE, 933:199-206, 1988with A. D. Sheffer,"

  40. "Target and Background Infrared Signature Modeling for Complex Synthetic Scenes," Proceedings of the SPIE, 890:95-103, 1988, with A. D. Sheffer, Jr.,"

  41. "TDA/ALSPM Development," AFWAL-TR-87-1113, October 1987, with R. S. Hyde, K. R. Johnson, R. W. McMillan, D. E. Schmieder, and W. R. Owens,"

  42. "Airborne Optical Adjunct LADAR Analysis," Teledyne Brown Engineering, Subcontract No. 7360, February 1985,"

  43. "Airborne Optical Adjunct LADAR Analysis," Teledyne Brown Engineering, Subcontract No. 7360, February 1985,"

  44. "Foreign Systems Radar and Missile Analysis Volume XXXVII: Optical Signal Processing by Holographic Techniques," U.S. Army Missile Intelligence Agency, Contract No. DAAH01-83-C-A112, October 1984,"

  45. "Depth Migration of North Atlantic Seismic Data," Transactions of the Shell Geophysical Conference, 1983, Houston, TX, with P. G. Ikossi and D. J. Pingenot,"

  46. "Design Considerations for Parasitic Use of Synchrotron Radiation in the Infrared," Nuclear Instruments and Methods, 172:367, 1980, with J. R. Stevenson,"
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