Applied Computational Mathematics Division


Up

Recovery of Spheres from LADAR Data

Christoph J. Witzgall
Information Technology Laboratory, Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division
Geraldine S. Cheok
Building and Fire Research Laboratory, Materials and Construction Research Division
Anthony J. Kearsley
Information Technology Laboratory, Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division

Tuesday, May 23, 2006 15:00-16:00,
Building 101, Lecture Room F
Gaithersburg
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 13:00-14:00,
Room 4511
Boulder

Abstract: The past decade has witnessed the rapid growth of LADAR (LAser Detection And Ranging) technology, joining technologies such as coordinate measuring machines and laser trackers as instruments for acquiring 3D-coordinates of points on an object. LADARs are typically scanning devices yielding large and often noisy "point clouds" at various ranges. Applications run the gamut from object detection/recognition, mapping, and surveying to excavation monitoring, as-built modeling, and autonomous vehicle navigation. NIST is currently involved in an effort to develop standard protocols for the performance evaluation of 3D imaging systems, which include LADARs. In this talk, the recovery of spheres from point clouds will be addressed. Such a recovery aims at determining the location, i.e., the center, and if not known beforehand, the size, i.e., the radius of the spheres. This information may be used to determine distances and to locate target points for the purpose of registering the data from different LADAR scans. In this talk, the interpretation of experimental evidence will be emphasized.

Speaker Bios: Christoph J. Witzgall received his PhD in Mathematics from the Universitaet Muenchen in 1958. He joined the then National Bureau of Standards in 1962. As Scientist Emeritus of the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL), he is associated with the Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division. Geraldine S. Cheok is a Research Engineer in the Materials and Construction Research Division of the Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL). She received her Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland in 1986. She was named Maryland's Outstanding Young Engineer in 1996. Anthony J. Kearsley is a Mathematician in the Mathematical and Computational Sciences Division of the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL). He earned his PhD in Computational and Applied Mathematics from Rice University in 1995. He received the Arthur S. Flemming Award for Science in 2001 and the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 1998.

Presentation Slides: PDF

Contact: P. M. Ketcham

Note: Visitors from outside NIST must contact Robin Bickel; (301) 975-3668; at least 24 hours in advance.