Use of Continuous Zoom on Electro-Optical Imaging Systems: Comparisons between Automatic and Manual Target Tracking

Abstract

The use of continuous zoom in an electro-optical sensor system was investigated with respect to target tracking. Using a simulation of an operator-machine interface in an airborne multi-sensor surveillance system, targets were tracked by manually directing the sensor or by an automated tracker. It was hypothesized that frequency of using the continuous zoom would be higher in the manual tracking mode than in auto-tracking, and negatively correlated with tracking error. Sensor, and targets to be tracked, were either moving or stationary in three types of tracking scenarios. Results showed that the zoom function was used more often when tracking manually, although the way continuous zoom was used differed between the two tracking modes. Also, tracking error was lower when the zoom function was used in manual mode. Tracking error was additionally affected by whether or not the target and/or the sensor were moving or stationary. Results improve our understanding of the way complex sensor systems are used, and will assist in ascertaining whether providing a continuous zoom into optical imaging systems is of benefit to operators.