Treaty monitoring

This paper introduces several unique image processing and interpretation techniques that can be used to monitor and verify arms control treaties. It is argued in the paper that not only has there been great improvement in the spatial and temporal resolution of commercial satellite imagery providing the international community with the means to monitor arms control treaties, but also, unlike aerial observations, it is non-intrusive. The paper first looks at the development of a "key" that describes research and power reactors and conventional power plants. Secondly, with the aid of this and digital image processing, it is shown how the verification and monitoring of the NPT could be carried out. One of the image processing techniques, the multi-variate alteration detection (MAD) concept is introduced, which has been developed for the purposes of multi-spectral change detection. This is then followed by descriptions of several other imaging techniques, including: detection of changes using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images; automated object-based image analysis; and analysis of hyper-spectral imagery. Finally, the potential use of commercial satellite based digital images and advanced image processing techniques could be used for monitoring and verifying the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).