Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Erickson, J. D.

Publications and source records attributed to Erickson, J. D..

At least 37 records · Page 2
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1979

Methods for segment wheat area estimation

The major research conducted during the three years of LACIE to solve problems associated with segment wheat area estimation is reviewed. Topics covered include proportion estimation, clustering, feature extraction, and signature extension. It would appear that LANDSAT-1 and LANDSAT-2 data do not contain enough information to discriminate between crop types perfectly all the time and, therefore, a basic problem arises when no ground truth data on crop types in the area are available. New approaches are needed to reduce labeling error. Perhaps better use of multiyear LANDSAT data, a more detailed understanding of the cropping practices in the area, better crop calendar prediction, and a better understanding of the limiting sources of error in LANDSAT data related to crop discrimination may provide the insight required to develop improved designs.

Heydorn, R. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Remote sensing data processing: Two years ago, today, and two years from today

Beginning with a survey of the state-of-the-art of processing remotely sensed data in early 1975, significant developments between that time and the present are chronicled, and technologies for early 1979 are projected. Current technical issues discussed include: training selection and labeling; classification and mensuration; use of satellite indicators to supplement predictions; small scale field structures; physical factors; ancillary data; geometric quality; and the cost of processing.

Holmes, Q. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Investigation of thematic mapper spatial, radiometric, and spectral resolution

Empirical evidence was provided for the definition of system specifications for the LANDSAT Follow-On Thematic Mapper (TM) and other future space Multispectral Sensor (MSS) systems. Specific sensor parameters addressed were spatial resolution, radiometric sensitivity, and to a lesser degree spectral bandwidths and locations. The study used selected available aircraft MSS data, characterized by narrow spectral bands, fine spatial resolution, and high signal-to-noise, as the basis for simulating spacecraft TM data of various spatial resolutions, radiometric sensitivities, and sets of spectral bands. The primary measure used in evaluating the effects of varying spatial and radiometric resolutions was agricultural crop mensuration accuracy using automatic (computer) information extraction techniques.

Morgenstern, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Remote sensing data processing - Two years ago, today, and two years from today

Certain technical problems arising in the recent past (1975) in the field of the processing of remote sensing data are reviewed including approaches to the analysis of Landsat MSS data and technical difficulties which must be overcome to achieve operational data processing. The current status of remote sensing data processing is then examined with emphasis on such current technical issues as training selection and labeling, sampling schemes and classification and mensuration. Hardware projections are made for the near future (1979) relative to the development of remote sensing data processing.

Holmes, Q. A.↗
NASA NTRS1977

Investigation of thematic mapper spatial, radiometric, and spectral resolution

Low-altitude aircraft scanner data were employed in simulating the spatial resolution, radiometric sensitivity and spectral bandwidth parameters of the proposed Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM). The 30 to 40 m resolution of the TM was found to provide significant improvement over current Landsat resolution (50 to 60 m) in crop mensuration, especially for Western Europe and India where field sizes average from one to four hectares. In terms of radiometric sensitivity, a noise equivalent reflectance value of 0.5% was held to be necessary for discrimination of spectrally similar data; in addition, all of the six proposed TM spectral bands were shown to be necessary for monitoring at some point during the growing season.

Morgenstern, J. P.↗
NASA NTRS1976

Investigation of LANDSAT follow-on thematic mapper spatial, radiometric and spectral resolution

The author has identified the following significant results. Fine resolution M7 multispectral scanner data collected during the Corn Blight Watch Experiment in 1971 served as the basis for this study. Different locations and times of year were studied. Definite improvement using 30-40 meter spatial resolution over present LANDSAT 1 resolution and over 50-60 meter resolution was observed, using crop area mensuration as the measure. Simulation studies carried out to extrapolate the empirical results to a range of field size distributions confirmed this effect, showing the improvement to be most pronounced for field sizes of 1-4 hectares. Radiometric sensitivity study showed significant degradation of crop classification accuracy immediately upon relaxation from the nominally specified values of 0.5% noise equivalent reflectance. This was especially the case for data which were spectrally similar such as that collected early in the growing season and also when attempting to accomplish crop stress detection.

Nalepka, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1976

PROCAMS - A second generation multispectral-multitemporal data processing system for agricultural mensuration

PROCAMS (Prototype Classification and Mensuration System) has been designed for the classification and mensuration of agricultural crops (specifically small grains including wheat, rye, oats, and barley) through the use of data provided by Landsat. The system includes signature extension as a major feature and incorporates multitemporal as well as early season unitemporal approaches for using multiple training sites. Also addressed are partial cloud cover and cloud shadows, bad data points and lines, as well as changing sun angle and atmospheric state variations.

Erickson, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Advances in automatic extraction of earth resources information from multispectral scanner data

The basis of spectral discrimination was briefly examined indicating sources of variability which tend to obscure the spectral attributes of the classes of interest. Spatial and temporal discrimination bases are also discussed. Automatic processing functions, techniques and methods, and equipment are discussed with emphasis on techniques and equipment required for operational large area surveys with satellite data. Techniques for carrying out major functions of preprocessing for signature extension, feature extraction, discrimination, display, and applications modeling were examined. A multiplicative and additive signature correction technique and a proportion estimation technique are discussed. The development of the multivariate interactive digital analysis system multispectral processor system which represents a breakthrough in cost effective high throughput processing for large area surveys from satellites and aircraft is reviewed. Applications and results are discussed briefly for agricultural crop inventories, environmental monitoring, and resources surveys from ERIM LANDSAT and EREP investigations to indicate the substantial progress achieved to date.

Erickson, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

Advances in automatic extraction of information from multispectral scanner data

The state-of-the-art of automatic multispectral scanner data analysis and interpretation is reviewed. Sources of system variability which tend to obscure the spectral characteristics of the classes under consideration are discussed, and examples of the application of spatial and temporal discrimination bases are given. Automatic processing functions, techniques and methods, and equipment are described with particular attention to those that are applicable to large land surveys using satellite data. The development and characteristics of the Multivariate Interactive Digital Analysis System (MIDAS) for processing aircraft or satellite multispectral scanning data are discussed in detail. The MIDAS system combines the parallel digital implementation capabilities of a low-cost processor with a general purpose PDP-11/45 minicomputer to provide near-real-time data processing. The preprocessing functions are user-selectable. The input subsystem accepts data stored on high density digital tape, computer compatible tape, and analog tape.

Erickson, J. D.↗
NASA NTRS1975

A thematic mapper performance optimization study

A six-month systems study of earth resource surveys from satellites was conducted in early 1974. Skylab S-192 Multispectral Scanner (MSS) data were used as a baseline to aid in evaluating the characteristics of future systems using satellite MSS sensors. The study took the viewpoint that overall system (sensor and processing) characteristics and parameter values should be determined largely by user requirements for automatic information extraction performance in quasi-operational earth resources surveys, the other major factor being hardware limitations imposed by state-of-the-art technology and cost.

Thomson, F. J.↗