Research aims
The key elements of the proposed research methodology will be focused on the development of research activities on hyperspectral imaging.
Resulting from the proposed work programme, several technical achievements are expected. Below, we provide a description of the main sub-activities to be carried out, emphasizing how complementary methods and expertise of the different partners will be integrated in order to achieve the proposed key elements:
The key elements of the proposed research methodology will be focused on the development of research activities on hyperspectral imaging.
Resulting from the proposed work programme, several technical achievements are expected. Below, we provide a description of the main sub-activities to be carried out, emphasizing how complementary methods and expertise of the different partners will be integrated in order to achieve the proposed key elements:
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Improved hyperspectral sensor specification. This activity will investigate the sensor requirements for various applications and develop new sensor specifications. The complementary expertise of several partners on design of hardware and electronics will be integrated, and the outcomes of this research element will be specifications for the design of new hyperspectral sensor instruments (Sensor Modelling Programme) and a collection of simulated data sets of potential new sensors based on ground spectral databases.
- Processing chain definition and implementation. The main goal of this activity will be to settle the basis for the generalization of a well-defined hyperspectral data collection and processing chain that will serve as a standardized procedure for processing this type of data in Europe. Complementary expertise of partners in image processing, pattern recognition and high-performance computing will be used to define a suitable chain. The outcomes of this element will be a series of standardized hardware/software processing techniques able to deal with the intrinsic complexity of the data, along with a detailed processing chain definition/implementation/optimization/validation report. The new methods and techniques resulting from this activity will be validated using both simulated and real data experiments in the framework of the following sub-activities (i.e., laboratory calibration/validation and evaluation in the context of realistic scientific applications).
- Calibration, validation and definition of standardization mechanisms. This activity will focus on the calibration/validation of hyperspectral sensors and the result from various processing steps of the processing chain described above. This is a crucial step to reduce the overall uncertainties introduced by hyperspectral imaging instruments. The outcomes of this research element will be an inventory of existing calibration equipment and methodologies (along with methods and processors for onboard, laboratory and vicarious calibration), and the development of a set of round-robin, inter-calibration experiments of available ground equipment (in-laboratory, and during field campaigns that will be connected to summer schools and camps).
- Scientific applications. This activity is aimed at compiling relevant applications and methods applied using imaging spectrometer data, and creating a product catalogue of both. Complementary expertise of partners in environmental applications (including monitoring of urban, vegetation and semi-arid areas) will be integrated. The main outcomes of this activity will be the development of an Algorithm Theoretical Baseline Document (ATBD) listing methods used for selection applications. In addition, an Application Library will also be obtained, composed of documents, code and results in terms of specific applications.