Hardware assessment using the multi-module, multi-resolution system (M3R): a signal-detection study

The multi-module, multi-resolution system (M3R) is used for hardware assessment in objective, task-based signal detection studies in projection data. A phantom capable of generating multiple realizations of a random textured background is introduced. Measured backgrounds from this phantom are used along with simulated lumpy and uniform backgrounds to investigate signal-to-noise ratio as a function of exposure time. Results are shown to agree with theoretical predictions, exhibiting a power-law like dependence previously seen for studies performed either in simulation or without an imaging system, and help validate the use of simulated lumpy backgrounds in observer studies. A second study looks at signal-detection performance, measured by AUC (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve), in lumpy backgrounds for 20 M3R aperture combinations as a function of lump size and signal size. Observer performance reveals an improvement in AUC for certain ranges of signal and lump combinations through the use of multiplexed, multiple-pinhole apertures, indicating a need for task-specific aperture optimization. The channelized Hotelling observer is used with Laguerre-Gauss channels for both observer studies. Methods for selection of number of channels and channel width are discussed.