Recent advances in Earth remote sensing: Fourier Transform Stationary HyperSpectral Imagers

Abstract

Future trends for the development of new remote sensing imagers have being defined since the launch of the first Fourier Transform HyperSpectral Imager (FTHSI) on board of DoD technological satellite MightySat II.1. Starting from the analysis of FTHSI optical configuration we have proposed an interesting modification which produces an image of the observed surface superimposed to a stationary interference pattern. This new optical arrangement together with the possibility to accommodate the spectral resolution by changing the device optical aperture and the sensor sampling step make the new instrument interesting for Earth remote sensing purposes. In this paper we present some preliminary results obtained from a laboratory prototype developed at our Institute. Some hints are discussed about the use of such an instrument on board of airborne and satellite platforms.

Investigation into lossless hyperspectral image compression for satellite remote sensing

“…The MightySat II.1 satellite (2000)(2001)(2002), carrying a Fourier Transform Hyperspectral Imager (FTHSI), is the first mission of its kind, encoding wavelength through an interferometer (Barducci et al 2006). FTHSI shows the advantages of Fourier systems over dispersive hyperspectral imagers by recording the full spectra without any time delay and decoupling the spatial and spectral signatures (eoPortal 2010).…”

“…FTHSI shows the advantages of Fourier systems over dispersive hyperspectral imagers by recording the full spectra without any time delay and decoupling the spatial and spectral signatures (eoPortal 2010). A Quad C40 (QC40) processor comprising four TMS320C40 DSP chips was used for the payload processing (Barducci et al 2006). Although no specific compression method has been reported, several algorithms for on-board processing have been implemented, such as apodization (improvement in the dynamic range of the image), spectral filtering, and fast Fourier transform (FFT).…”

“…Although no specific compression method has been reported, several algorithms for on-board processing have been implemented, such as apodization (improvement in the dynamic range of the image), spectral filtering, and fast Fourier transform (FFT). However, there were a few problems that rendered the on-board processing unrealistic and therefore the raw data were downloaded and processed on the ground (Barducci et al 2006).…”