Spectral Imaging for Remote Sensing.pdf

? SHAW AND BURKESpectral Imaging for Remote SensingVOLUME 14, NUMBER 1, 2003 LINCOLN LABORATORY JOURNAL3Spectral Imaging forRemote SensingGary A. Shaw and Hsiao-hua K. Burke■ Spectral imaging for remote sensing of terrestrial features and objects arose asan alternative to high-spatial-resolution, large-aperture satellite imaging applications of spectral imaging were oriented toward ground-coverclassification, mineral exploration, and agricultural assessment, employing asmall number of carefully chosen spectral bands spread across the visible andinfrared regions of the ic spectrum. Improved versions of theseearly multispectral imaging sensors continue in use today. A new class of sensor,the hyperspectral imager, has also emerged, employing hundreds of contiguousbands to detect and identify a variety of natural and man-made materials. Thisoverview article introduces the fundamental elements of spectral imaging anddiscusses the historical evolution of both the sensors and the target detectionand classification ??????????????, vision plays a central rolein human perception and interpretation ofthe world. When we hear a loud crash, smellsomething burning, or feel something slipping out ofour grasp, our first response is visual—we lookfor thesource of the trouble so we can assess and respond tothe situation. Our eyes and brain can quickly providedetailed information about whatever event is occur-ring around us, which leads to a choice of appropriateaction or response. The importance of human visualperception is also apparent when we consider that vi-sion processing consumes a disproportionately largepart of human brain function. It is therefore not sur-prising that, historically, much of our ess in re-mote sensing, whether for civilian, military, terres-trial, or extraterrestrial purposes, has relied upon theproduction of accurate imagery along with effectivehuman interpretation and analysis of that -optical remote sensing involv