Hypercomplex Quality Assessment of Multi/Hyperspectral Images

This letter presents a novel image quality index which extends the Universal Image Quality Index for monochrome images to multispectral and hyperspectral images through hypercomplex numbers. The proposed index is based on the computation of the hypercomplex correlation coefficient between the reference and tested images, which jointly measures spectral and spatial distortions. Experimental results, both from true and simulated images, are presented on spaceborne and airborne visible/infrared images. The results prove accurate measurements of inter- and intraband distortions even when anomalous pixel values are concentrated on few bands.     

利用融合方法提升WorldVeiw短波红外影像分辨率

WorldView卫星在8个可见光-近红外多光谱波段的基础上,新增加的8个短波红外(简称SWIR)影像,大大提高了地物信息提取能力.但短波红外影像分辨率与多光谱影像相比分辨率过低,影响应用效果.本文提出了一种结合主分量变换和非下采样小波变换的影像融合方法来提升WorldView短波红外影像的空间分辨率.定量指标和目视评价证明本文提出的融合方法具有较好的融合效果,能够在显著提升短波红外影像空间分辨率的同时很好地保持原始光谱特性.     

利用融合方法提升WorldView短波红外影像分辨率

WorldView卫星在8个可见光-近红外多光谱波段的基础上,新增加的8个短波红外（简称SWIR）影像,大大提高了地物信息提取能力。但短波红外影像分辨率与多光谱影像相比分辨率过低,影响应用效果。本文提出了一种结合主分量变换和非下采样小波变换的影像融合方法来提升WorldView短波红外影像的空间分辨率。定量指标和目视评价证明本文提出的融合方法具有较好的融合效果,能够在显著提升短波红外影像空间分辨率的同时很好地保持原始光谱特性。     

Object-oriented and pixel-based classification approaches to classify tropical successional stages using airborne high–spatial resolution images

Airborne high–spatial resolution images were evaluated for mapping purposes in a complex Atlantic rainforest environment in southern Brazil. Two study sites, covered predominantly by secondary evergreen rainforest, were surveyed by airborne multispectral high-resolution imagery. These aerophotogrammetric images were acquired at four spectral bands (visible to near-infrared) with spatial resolution of 0.39 m. We evaluated different data input scenarios to suit the object-oriented classification approach. In addition to the four spectral bands, auxiliary products such as band ratios and digital elevation models were considered. Comparisons with traditional pixel-based classifiers were also performed. The results showed that the object-based classification approach yielded a better overall accuracy, ranging from 89% to 91%, than the pixel-based classifications, which ranged from 62% to 63%. The individual classification accuracy of forest-related classes, such as young successional forest stages, benefits the object-based approach. These classes have been reported in the literature as the most difficult to map in tropical environments. The results confirm the potential of object-based classification for mapping procedures and discrimination of successional forest stages and other related land use and land cover classes in complex Atlantic rainforest environments. The methodology is suggested for further SAAPI acquisitions in order to monitor such endangered environment as well as to support National Land and Environmental Management Protocols.     

Automated detection and mapping of crown discolouration caused by jack pine budworm with 2.5 m resolution multispectral imagery

Jack pine budworm (Choristoneura pinus pinus (Free.)) is a native insect defoliator of mainly jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) in North America east of the Rocky Mountains. Periodic outbreaks of this insect, which generally last two to three years, can cause growth loss and mortality and have an important impact ecologically and economically in terms of timber production and harvest. The jack pine budworm prefers to feed on current year needles. Their characteristic feeding habits cause discolouration or reddening of the canopy. This red colouration is used to map the distribution and intensity of defoliation that has taken place that year (current defoliation). An accurate and consistent map of the distribution and intensity of budworm defoliation (as represented by the red discolouration) at the stand and within stand level is desirable.Automated classification of multispectral imagery, such as is available from airborne and new high resolution satellite systems, was explored as a viable tool for objectively classifying current discolouration. Airborne multispectral imagery was acquired at a 2.5 m resolution with the Multispectral Electro-optical Imaging Sensor (MEIS). It recorded imagery in six nadir looking spectral bands specifically designed to detect discolouration caused by budworm and a near-infrared band viewing forward at 35° was also used. A 2200 nm middle infrared image was acquired with a Daedalus scanner. Training and test areas of different levels of discolouration were created based on field observations and a maximum likelihood supervized classification was used to estimate four classes of discolouration (nil-trace, light, moderate and severe). Good discrimination was achieved with an overall accuracy of 84% for the four discolouration levels. The moderate discolouration class was the poorest at 73%, because of confusion with both the severe and light classes. Accuracy on a stand basis was also good, and regional and within stand discolouration patterns were portrayed well. Only three or four well-placed spectral bands were needed for a good classification. A narrow red band, a near-infrared and short wave infrared band were most useful. A forward looking band did not improve discolouration estimation, but further testing is needed to confirm this result.This method of detecting and classifying discolouration appears to provide a mapping capability useful for conducting jack pine budworm discolouration surveys and integrating this information into decision support systems, forest inventory, growth and yield predictions and the forest management decision-making process.     

The design and the development of a hyperspectral and multispectral airborne mapping system

Flexible and cost-effective tools for rapid image acquisition and natural resource mapping are needed by land managers. This paper describes the hardware and software architecture of a low-cost system that can be deployed on a light aircraft for rapid data acquisition. The Hyperspectral and Multispectral Cameras for Airborne Mapping (HAMCAM) was designed and developed in the Geospatial Laboratory for Environmental Dynamics at the University of Idaho as a student-learning tool, and to enhance the existing curriculum currently offered. The system integrates a hyperspectral sensor with four multispectral cameras, an Inertial Navigation System (INS), a Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)-capable Global Positioning System (GPS), a data acquisition computer, and custom software for running the sensors in a variety of different modes. The outputs include very high resolution imagery obtained in four adjustable visible and near-infrared bands from the multispectral imager. The hyperspectral sensor acquires 240 spectral bands along 2.7 nm intervals within the 445–900 nm range. The INS provides aircraft pitch, roll and yaw information for rapid geo-registration of the imagery. This paper will discuss the challenges associated with the development of the system and the integration of components and software for implementation of this system for natural resource management applications. In addition, sample imagery acquired by the sensor will be presented.     

A Selective KPCA Algorithm Based on High-Order Statistics for Anomaly Detection in Hyperspectral Imagery

In this letter, a selective kernel principal component analysis (KPCA) algorithm based on high-order statistics is proposed for anomaly detection in hyperspectral imagery. First, KPCA is performed on the original hyperspectral data to fully mine the high-order correlation between spectral bands. Then, the average local singularity (LS) is defined based on the high-order statistics in the local sliding window, which is used as a measure for selecting the most informative nonlinear component for anomaly detection. By the selective KPCA, information on anomalous targets is extracted to maximum extent, and background clutters are well suppressed in the selected component. Finally, the selected component with maximum average LS is used as input for anomaly detectors. Numerical experiments are conducted on real hyperspectral images collected by the airborne visible/infrared imaging spectrometer. The results strongly prove the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.     

Remote Sensing of Soil Moisture Using Airborne Hyperspectral Data

Landscape assessment of soil moisture is critical to understanding the hydrological cycle at the regional scale and in broad-scale studies of biophysical processes affected by global climate changes in temperature and precipitation. Traditional efforts to measure soil moisture have been principally restricted to in situ measurements, so remote sensing techniques are often employed. Hyperspectral sensors with finer spatial resolution and narrow band widths may offer an alternative to traditional multispectral analysis of soil moisture, particularly in landscapes with high spatial heterogeneity. This preliminary research evaluates the ability of remotely sensed hyperspectral data to quantify soil moisture for the Little River Experimental Watershed (LREW), Georgia. An airborne hyperspectral instrument with a short-wavelength infrared (SWIR) sensor was flown in 2005 and 2007 and the results were correlated to in situ soil moisture values. A significant statistical correlation (R ² value above 0.7 for both sampling dates) for the hyperspectral instrument data and the soil moisture probe data at 5.08 cm (2 inches) was determined. While models for the 20.32 cm (8 inches) and 30.48 cm (12 inches) depths were tested, they were not able to estimate soil moisture to the same degree.     

一种基于小波系数特征的遥感图像融合算法

多光谱图像和全色图像是目前卫星遥感领域最常见的传感器图像.为了更充分地发挥这两类遥感图像数据的价值,人们利用两类数据的互补性,将多传感器融合技术引进了遥感图像处理领域.在IHS彩色空间变换和小波多分辨率分析的基础上,利用图像高频小波系数的多个特征来定义特征量积,并利用特征量积作为依据提出了一种图像融合新算法.通过一组多光谱图像和全色图像数据进行融合仿真试验,并将该算法与IHS,HPF等算法和归一化矩算法作了比较.证明该方法能在保留多光谱图像光谱信息的基础上,有效地提高多光谱图像的空间分辨率.     

机载多光谱LiDAR的随机森林地物分类

机载多光谱LiDAR技术利用激光进行探测和测距，不仅可以快速获取地面物体的三维坐标，还可以获得多个波段的地物光谱信息，可广泛用于地形测绘、土地覆盖分类、环境建模、森林资源调查等。本文提出了多光谱LiDAR的随机森林地物分类方法。该方法通过对LiDAR强度数据和高程数据提取分类特征，完成多光谱LiDAR的随机森林地物分类；并分析随机森林的特征贡献度特性，采用后向特征选择方法实现分类特征选择。通过对加拿大Optech Titan多光谱LiDAR数据的试验表明：随机森林方法可以获得较好的地物分类精度，而且可以适当地去除部分冗余和相关的特征，从而有效提高分类精度。     

Detection of stress in tomatoes induced by late blight disease in California, USA, using hyperspectral remote sensing

Large-scale farming of agricultural crops requires on-time detection of diseases for pest management. Hyperspectral remote sensing data taken from low-altitude flights usually have high spectral and spatial resolutions, which can be very useful in detecting stress in green vegetation. In this study, we used late blight in tomatoes to illustrate the capability of applying hyperspectral remote sensing to monitor crop disease in the field scale and to develop the methodologies for the purpose. A series of field experiments was conducted to collect the canopy spectral reflectance of tomato plants in a diseased tomato field in Salinas Valley of California. The disease severity varied from stage 1 (the light symptom), to stage 4 (the sever damage). The economic damage of the crop caused by the disease is around the disease stage 3. An airborne visible infrared imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS) image with 224 bands within the wavelength range of 0.4–2.5 μm was acquired during the growing season when the field data were collected. The spectral reflectance of the field samples indicated that the near infrared (NIR) region, especially 0.7–1.3 μm, was much more valuable than the visible range to detect crop disease. The difference of spectral reflectance in visible range between health plants and the infected ones at stage 3 was only 1.19%, while the difference in the NIR region was high, 10%. We developed an approach including the minimum noise fraction (MNF) transformation, multi-dimensional visualization, pure pixels endmember selection and spectral angle mapping (SAM) to process the hyperspectral image for identification of diseased tomato plants. The results of MNF transformation indicated that the first 28 eigenimages contain useful information for classification of the pixels and the rest were mainly noise-dominated due to their low eigenvalues that had few signals. Therefore, the 28 signal eigenimages were used to generate a multi-dimensional visualization space for endmember spectra selection and SAM. Classification with the SAM technique of plants’ spectra showed that the late blight diseased tomatoes at stage 3 or above could be separated from the healthy plants while the less infected plants (at stage 1 or 2) were difficult to separate from the healthy plants. The results of the image analysis were consistent with the field spectra. The mapped disease distribution at stage 3 or above from the image showed an accurate conformation of late blight occurrence in the field. This result not only confirmed the capability of hyperspectral remote sensing in detecting crop disease for precision disease management in the real world, but also demonstrated that the spectra-based classification approach is an applicable method to crop disease identification.     

Application of multispectral LiDAR to automated virtual outcrop geology

Terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) is a valuable tool for creating virtual 3D models of geological outcrops to enable enhanced modeling and analysis of geologic strata. Application of TLS data is typically limited to the geometric point cloud that is used to create the 3D structure of the outcrop model. Digital photography can then be draped onto the 3D model, allowing visual identification and manual spatial delineation of different rock layers. Automation of the rock type identification and delineation is desirable, and recent work has investigated the use of terrestrial hyperspectral photography for this purpose. However, passive photography, whether visible or hyperspectral, presents several complexities, including accurate spatial registration with the TLS point cloud data, reliance on sunlight for illumination, and radiometric calibration to properly extract spectral signatures of the different rock types. As an active remote sensing method, a radiometrically calibrated TLS system offers the potential to directly provide spectral information for each recorded 3D point, independent of solar illumination. Therefore, the practical application of three radiometrically calibrated TLS systems with differing laser wavelengths, thereby achieving a multispectral dataset in conjunction with 3D point cloud data, is investigated using commercially available hardware and software. The radiometric calibration of the TLS intensity values is investigated and the classification performance of the multispectral TLS intensity and calibrated reflectance datasets evaluated and compared to classification performed with passive visible wavelength imagery. Results indicate that rock types can be successfully identified with radiometrically calibrated multispectral TLS data, with enhanced classification performance when fused with passive visible imagery.     

若干高光谱成像新技术及其应用研究

高光谱成像数据已广泛应用于地质、海洋、农林、水文、城市、环境和军事等领域,对经济的可持续发展发挥了促进作用。随着研究的深入和应用的拓展,对高光谱成像系统的技术要求呈现多样化趋势。本文简要回顾了国内外高光谱成像技术的主要发展历程,依次阐述了运动补偿高光谱成像、紧凑型热红外高光谱低温光学、宽谱段一体化机载高光谱集成、基于AOTF分光的凝视型高光谱成像以及阶跃集成滤光片等具有代表性的高光谱成像关键技术,并简要介绍了这些新技术在天宫一号、嫦娥三号等国家重大任务中的应用情况。     

Employing airborne multispectral digital imagery to map Brazilian pepper infestation in South Texas

A study was conducted in south Texas to determine the feasibility of using airborne multispectral digital imagery for differentiating the invasive plant Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) from other cover types. Imagery obtained in the visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared regions of the light spectrum and a supervised classification approach were employed to develop thematic maps of two areas infested with Brazilian pepper. Map accuracies ranged from 84.2 to 100% for the Brazilian pepper class. Findings support using airborne multispectral digital imagery as a tool for separating Brazilian pepper from associated land cover types and further encourage exploration of airborne multispectral digital imagery and image processing techniques for developing maps of Brazilian pepper infestation in Texas and abroad.     

Temperature and emissivity separation and mineral mapping based on airborne TASI hyperspectral thermal infrared data

Thermal infrared remote sensing (8–12 μm) (TIR) has great potential for geologic remote sensing studies. TIR has been successfully used for terrestrial and planetary geologic studies to map surface materials. However, the complexity of the physics and the lack of hyperspectral data make the studies under-investigated. A new generation of commercial hyperspectral infrared sensors, known as Thermal Airborne Spectrographic Imager (TASI), was used for image analysis and mineral mapping in this study. In this paper, a combined method integrating normalized emissivity method (NEM), ratio algorithm (RATIO) and maximum–minimum apparent emissivity difference (MMD), being applied in multispectral data, has been modified and used to determine whether this method is suitable for retrieving emissivity from TASI hyperspectral data. MODTRAN 4 has been used for the atmospheric correction. The retrieved emissivity spectra matched well with the field measured spectra except for bands 1, 2, and 32. Quartz, calcite, diopside/hedenbergite, hornblende and microcline have been mapped by the emissivity image. Mineral mapping results agree with the dominant minerals identified by laboratory X-ray powder diffraction and spectroscopic analyses of field samples. Both of the results indicated that the atmospheric correction method and the combined temperature–emissivitiy method are suitable for TASI image. Carbonate skarnization was first found in the study area by the spatial extent of diopside. Chemical analyses of the skarn samples determined that the Au content was 0.32–1.74 g/t, with an average Au content of 0.73 g/t. This information provides an important resource for prospecting for skarn type gold deposits. It is also suggested that TASI is suitable for prospect and deposit scale exploration.     

Determination of chlorophyll content of small water bodies (kettle holes) using hyperspectral airborne data

This study presents an approach for chlorophyll content determination of small shallow water bodies (kettle holes) from hyperspectral airborne ROSIS and HyMap data (acquired on 15 May and 29 July 2008 respectively). Investigated field and airborne spectra for almost all kettle holes do not correspond to each other due to differences in ground sampling distance. Field spectra were collected from the height of 30–35 cm (i.e. area of 0.01–0.015 m²). Airborne pixels of ROSIS and HyMap imageries cover an area of 4 m² and 16 m² respectively and their spectra are highly influenced by algae or bottom properties of the kettle holes. Analysis of airborne spectra revealed that chlorophyll absorption near 677 nm is the same for both datasets. In order to enhance absorption properties, both airborne hyperspectral datasets were normalized by the continuum removal approach. Linear regression algorithms for ROSIS and HyMap datasets were derived using normalized average chlorophyll absorption spectra for each kettle hole. Overall accuracy of biomass mapping for ROSIS data was 71%, and for HyMap 64%. Biomass mapping results showed that, depending on the type of kettle hole, algae distribution, the ‘packaging effect’ and bottom reflection lead to miscalculations of the chlorophyll content using hyperspectral airborne data.     

多/高光谱遥感图像的投影和小波融合算法

将高光谱图像与高空间分辨率图像融合后,由于融合图像空间分辨率提高,改变了混合像元内地物组分比例,像元光谱信息较原高光谱图像光谱信息会出现“失真”现象。针对这种情况,考虑混合像元内成分变化进行图像融合,首先利用投影方法模拟多光谱图像得到高光谱图像,并将模拟高光谱图像与原高光谱图像利用小波方法进行融合,融合图像不仅增强了空间信息,而且对光谱信息进行一定的修正,从而提高了环境异常探测等一系列应用的精度。利用Hyperion图像和SPOT-5图像进行融合实验,融合图像能够识别出87.2%目标区域。     

A fast clonal selection algorithm for feature selection in hyperspectral imagery

Clonal selection feature selection algorithm (CSFS) based on clonal selection algorithm (CSA), a new computational intelligence approach, has been proposed to perform the task of dimensionality reduction in high-dimensional images, and has better performance than traditional feature selection algorithms with more computational costs. In this paper, a fast clonal selection feature selection algorithm (FCSFS) for hyperspectral imagery is proposed to improve the convergence rate by using Cauchy mutation instead of non-uniform mutation as the primary immune operator. Two experiments are performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm in comparison with CSFS using hyperspectral remote sensing imagery acquired by the pushbroom hyperspectral imager (PHI) and the airborne visible/infrared imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS), respectively. Experimental results demonstrate that the FCSFS converges faster than CSFS, hence providing an effective new option for dimensionality reduction of hyperspectral remote sensing imagery.     

Mapping impervious surfaces with the integrated use of Landsat Thematic Mapper and radar data: A case study in an urban–rural landscape in the Brazilian Amazon

This research explored the integrated use of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) and radar (i.e., ALOS PALSAR L-band and RADARSAT-2 C-band) data for mapping impervious surface distribution to examine the roles of radar data with different spatial resolutions and wavelengths. The wavelet-merging technique was used to merge TM and radar data to generate a new dataset. A constrained least-squares solution was used to unmix TM multispectral data and multisensor fusion images to four fraction images (high-albedo, low-albedo, vegetation, and soil). The impervious surface image was then extracted from the high-albedo and low-albedo fraction images. QuickBird imagery was used to develop an impervious surface image for use as reference data to evaluate the results from TM and fusion images. This research indicated that increasing spatial resolution by multisensor fusion improved spatial patterns of impervious surface distribution, but cannot significantly improve the statistical area accuracy. This research also indicated that the fusion image with 10-m spatial resolution was suitable for mapping impervious surface spatial distribution, but TM multispectral image with 30 m was too coarse in a complex urban–rural landscape. On the other hand, this research showed that no significant difference in improving impervious surface mapping performance by using either PALSAR L-band or RADARSAT C-band data with the same spatial resolution when they were used for multi-sensor fusion with the wavelet-based method.     

Detection of diseased rubber plantations using satellite remote sensing

The study evaluates the potential of satellite remote sensing technology for detection, mapping and monitoring of diseased rubber plantation affected by Corynespora and Gloeosporium fungi, which causes leaf spot and leaf fall. Multi-date satellite data of IRS-1C have been analyzed adopting enhancement and classification techniques to identify and extract information on the spatial extent and distribution of healthy and diseased rubber plants with an accuracy of 90%. The diseased rubber plantations have shown considerable reduction in the near-infrared reflectance followed by a rise in the reflectance in red and short wave infrared. Vegetation index images generated for different periods have shown the progress of disease incidence, severity and recovery of rubber plantations after fungicidal spraying. The study has demonstrated the use of remote sensing technology in identifying and delineating diseased rubber plantations. Early detection of the disease would be of immense value for taking up necessary control measures and minimize the loss.