Abstracting GIS Layers From Hyperspectral Imagery

<p>Modern warfare methods in the urban environment necessitates the use of multiple layers of sensors to manage the battle space. Hyperspectral imagers are one possible sensor modality to provide remotely sensed images that can be converted into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layers. GIS layers abstract knowledge of roads buildings and scene content and contain shape files that outline and highlight scene features. Creating shape files is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. The availability of shape files that reflect the current configuration of the area of interest significantly enhances Intelligence Preparation of the Battlespace (IPB). The solution presented in this thesis is a novel process to automate the creation of shape files by exploiting the spectral-spatial relationship of a hyperspectral image cube. It is assumed that a-priori endmember spectra a spectral database or specific scene knowledge is not available. The topological neighborhood of a Self Organizing Map (SOM) is segmented and used as a spectral filter to produce six initial object maps that are spatially processed with logical and morphological operations. A novel road finding algorithm connects road segments under significantly tree-occluded roadways into a contiguous road network. The manual abstraction of GIS shape files is improved into a semi-automated process. The resulting shape files are not susceptible to deviation from orthorectified imagery as they are produced directly from the hyperspectral imagery. The results are eight separate high-quality GIS layers (Vegetation Non-Tree Vegetation Trees Fields Buildings Major Buildings Roadways and Parking Areas) that follow the terrain of the hyperspectral image and are separately and automatically labeled.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>