SPIE - Education Machine Learning Techniques for Radio Frequency Object Classification SC1245

The focus of this course will be recent research results, technical challenges, and directions of Deep Learning (DL) based object classification using radar data (i.e., Synthetic Aperture Radar / SAR data). First, we will provide a short overview of machine learning (ML) theory. Then we will provide an example and performance of ML algorithm (i.e., DL method) on video imagery. Finally, we will demonstrate algorithmic implementation and performance of DL algorithms on SAR data (a significant portion of the course time). It is evident that significant research efforts have been devoted to applying DL algorithms on video imagery. However, very limited literature can be found on technical challenges and approaches to execute DL algorithms on radio frequency (RF) data. We will present hands-on implementation of DL-based radar object classification using Caffe and/or TensorFlow tools. Unlike passive sensing (i.e., video collections), Radar enables imaging ground objects at far greater standoff distances and all-weather conditions. Existing non-DL based RF object recognition algorithms are less accurate and require impractically large computing resources. With adequate training data, DL enables more accurate, near real-time, and low-power object recognition system development. We will highlight implementations of DL-based (i.e., Convolution Neural Network (CNN)) SAR object recognition algorithms in graphical processing units (GPUs) and energy efficient computing systems. The examples presented will demonstrate acceptable classification accuracy on relevant SAR data. Further, we will discuss special topics of interest on DL-based RF object recognition as requested by the researchers, practitioners, and students.