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Manual discusses simple inexpensive image analysis technique used to interpret photographs and scanner of data of Earth's surface. Manual is designed for those who have no need for sophisticated computer-automated analysis procedures.
The author has identified the following significant results. Visual and automatic interpretation of LANDSAT imagery was used to classify the general Pinus and Eucalyptus according to their age and species. A methodology was derived, based on training areas, to define the legend and spectral characteristics of the analyzed classes. Imager analysis of the training areas show that Pinus taeda is separable from the other Pinus species based on JM distance measurement. No difference of JM measurements was observed among Eucalyptus species. Two classes of Eucalyptus were separated according to their ages: those under and those over two years of age. Channel 6 and 7 were suitable for the discrimination of the reforested classes. Channel 5 was efficient to separated reforested areas from nonforested targets in the region. The automatic analysis shows the highest classification precision was obtained for Eucalyptus over two years of age (95.12 percent).
A method for preparing composite powders of the three coating components was developed and a procedure that can be used in applying uniform coatings of the composite powders was demonstrated. Composite powders were prepared by adjusting particle sizes of the components and employing a small amount of monoaluminum phosphate as an inorganic binder. Quantitative microscopy (image analysis) was found to be a convenient method of characterizing the composition of the multiphase plasma-sprayed coatings. Area percentages and distribution of the components were readily obtained by this method. The adhesive strength of the coating to a nickel-chromium alloy substrate was increased by about 40 percent by a heat treatment of 20 hours at 650 C.
The paper describes the European land use map ('Eulusmap') sponsored by the World Land Use Survey Commission and printed in May 1978. The map was compiled on the basis of theme extraction techniques applied to Landsat-1 imagery. Various aspects of Landsat-image analysis are discussed here, and detailed consideration is given to the land-use classification system developed by the World Land Use Survey Commission.
Two interpretation aids, 'The Image Analysis Guide for Wheat/Small Grains Inventories' and 'The United States and Canadian Great Plains Regional Keys', were developed during LACIE phase 2 and implemented during phase 3 in order to provide analysts with a better understanding of the expected ranges in color variation of signatures for individual biostages and of the temporal sequences of LANDSAT signatures. The keys were tested using operational LACIE data, and the results demonstrate that their use provides improved labeling accuracy in all analyst experience groupings, in all geographic areas within the U.S. Great Plains, and during all periods of crop development.
Recommendations are made for upgrading two teleoperator/robotics test and simulation systems based upon a review of latest technology advances in the involved disciplines. A second generation Free Flying Mobility Unit is recommended which adds a sixth degree of freedom and incorporates other improvements which greatly expand the center's capability to perform evaluation tests and demonstrations of advanced systems concepts for rendezvous and docking in support of the Teleoperator Maneuvering System (TMS) Program. The Orbital Servicer System provides the capability for testing and demonstrating concepts for on orbit servicing of compatibly designed satellites/payloads. The TMS is to be the transporting vehicle for the servicer. The manipulator arm of the Orbital service System is presently computer controlled in the trajectory portion of the module transfer operation. The ultimate objective is to fully automte its operation requiring additional capabilities in sensors, artificial intelligence, image analysis, communications, computer programming, pattern recognition, kinematics, and manipulator design. It is recommended that the Electronics and Control Laboratory move to acquire the basic competencies in robotics necessary to achieve full automation.
Manual photointerpretation techniques were used to analyze images acquired by high altitude aircraft, the Skylab multispectral and Earth terrain camera (ETC), the LANDSAT multispectral scanner, and the LANDSAT-3 return beam vidicon camera. A color-additive viewer, and digital image analysis were also used on the LANDSAT MSS imagery. The value of each type of remotely sensed data was judged by the ease and accuracy of clearcut identification, and by the amount of detail discernible, especially regarding revegetation. Results of a site study in the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania indicate that high altitude aerial photography, especially color infrared photography acquired during the growing season, is well suited for identifying clearcuts and assessing revegetation. Although photographs acquired with Skylab's ETC also yielded good results, only incomplete inventories of clearcuts could be made using LANDSAT imagery. Results for the Adirondack region of New York State were similar for the aircraft and satellite photography, but even less satisfactory for the LANDSAT imagery.
The status of projects involving the adaptation of NASA technologies for medical purposes is reviewed. Devices for the measurement of joint deformation of arthritic hands, the development of an artificial pancreas, provision of an auditory signal to avert epileptic seizures, are described along with the control of medication levels, a compressed air tank to supply power for field dentistry, and an electroencephalogram monitor. The use of the Lixiscope as a portable fluoroscope, thermal laminates for hand and foot warmers for patients with Raynaud's syndrome, and the use of absorptive coatings for instruments for controlling medication levels are described. The applicability of occupation health and safety practices to industry, computerized patient scheduling, impregnation of the common facial tissue with an agent for killing respiratory viruses, commercial applications of anthropometric data, and multispectral image analysis of the skin as a diagnostic tool are reviewed.
Observations of cloud geometry using scan-synchronized stereo geostationary satellites having images with horizontal spatial resolution of approximately 0.5 km, and temporal resolution of up to 3 min are presented. The stereo does not require a cloud with known emissivity to be in equilibrium with an atmosphere with a known vertical temperature profile. It is shown that absolute accuracies of about 0.5 km are possible. Qualitative and quantitative representations of atmospheric dynamics were shown by remapping, display, and stereo image analysis on an interactive computer/imaging system. Applications of stereo observations include: (1) cloud top height contours of severe thunderstorms and hurricanes, (2) cloud top and base height estimates for cloud-wind height assignment, (3) cloud growth measurements for severe thunderstorm over-shooting towers, (4) atmospheric temperature from stereo heights and infrared cloud top temperatures, and (5) cloud emissivity estimation. Recommendations are given for future improvements in stereo observations, including a third GOES satellite, operational scan synchronization of all GOES satellites and better resolution sensors.
Image analysis (IA) and electron microprobe X-ray analysis (EMXA) were used to characterize a plasma-sprayed, self-lubricating coating, NASA LUBE PS106, specified by weight percent as 35NiCr-35Ag-30CaF2. To minimize segregation of the powder mixture during the plasma-spraying procedure, monoaluminum phosphate was added to form agglomerate particles. Three concentrations of AlPO4 were added to the mixtures: 1.25, 2.5, and 6.25 percent by weight. Analysis showed that 1.25 wt% AlPO4 yielded a CaF2 deficiency, 2.5 wt% kept the coating closest to specification, and 6.25 wt% yielded excess CaF2 as well as more impurities and voids and a deficiency in silver. Photomicrographs and X-ray maps are presented. The methods of IA and EMXA complement each other, and the reasonable agreement in the results increases the confidence in determining the coating composition.
The establishment of image analysis facilities for the operational utilization of LANDSAT data in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington is discussed. The hardware and software resources are described for each facility along with the range of services.
The use of LANDSAT data to evaluate pasture quality in the Amazon region is demonstrated. Pasture degradation in deforested areas of a traditional tropical forest cattle-raising region was estimated. Automatic analysis using interactive multispectral analysis (IMAGE-100) shows that 24% of the deforested areas were occupied by natural vegetation regrowth, 24% by exposed soil, 15% by degraded pastures, and 46% was suitable grazing land.
The parameters of diffusion patterns of atmospheric pollutants under different conditions were investigated for use in the Gaussian model for calculation of pollution concentration. Value for the divergence pattern of concentration distribution along the Y axis were determined using LANDSAT images. Multispectral scanner images of a point source plume having known characteristics, wind and temperature data, and cloud cover and solar elevation data provided by LANDSAT, were analyzed using the 1-100 system for image analysis. These measured values are compared with pollution transport as predicted by the Pasquill-Gifford, Juelich, and Hoegstroem atmospheric models.
A quarter-meter diameter, modified Ritchey-Chretien camera is described for spacecraft-based observation of Halley's Comet. The system will operate over an unusually broad spectral region, from 0.1216 micron (the hydrogen Lyman-alpha line) to 1.1 microns using reflective primary and secondary mirror optics and a thin UV-grade lithium fluoride refractive element as a field corrector near the image plane. The f/12, 3000 mm focal length camera has a 0.4 deg full field of view for operation with a 15 x 15 mm charge-coupled device detector array. The UV-enhanced silicon CCD detector is a 1000 x 1000 array of 15 micron pixels which establishes the system resolution requirement. The optical design and performance are discussed, with an emphasis on the image analysis with respect to pixel resolution elements used for viewing extended objects such as comets.
High precision multispectral images for Apennine Front core segment 15008 are presented. These data have a spatial resolution less than approximately 0.5 mm and are analyzed for their compositional information using image analysis techniques. The stratigraphy of the regolith sampled by 15008 is documented here as three distinct zones, the most prominent of which is a feldspathic fragment-rich zone with a chaotic fabric that occurs between 10 and 18 cm depth. It is suggested that this material is the primary rim crest deposit of the local 10 m crater. Above this zone the stratigraphy is more horizontal in nature. Below this zone the soil is observed to be relatively homogeneous with no distinctive structure to 23 cm depth.
It is pointed out that the fiber volume fraction is probably the most important parameter influencing the properties of fibrous composite materials. The present investigation is concerned with questions regarding the accurate determination of this parameter. It is found that an estimate of the fiber volume fraction based on determinations from several coupons taken from different regions of a laminate is not accurate. At present fiber volume fractions are not directly measured but rather are calculated from the fiber weight fraction and densities of the composite and fiber. Image analysis techniques can and should be applied to determine fiber volume fraction. However, several factors have to be considered in this connection. It is necessary to make many measurements of the local fiber area fractions, and the preparation of representative planar cross sections parallel to the fiber axis may be difficult.
Initial examinations of the Landsat-4 Multispectral Scanner and Thematic Mapper (IM) imagery indicate that these systems and the ground-based data processing systems are performing well. A combination of the spatial resolution of the multispectral scanner with the four band (0.5-0.6, 0.6-0.7, 0.7-0.8, and 0.8-1.1 microns) multispectral capability provides a useful observation technique for identifying crop type, phenological state of development, and a real condition assessment. Landsat multispectral scanner imagery has become more important in the search for new deposits of oil and mineral resources, and geological applications indicate that image analysis complements geological mapping techniques. Advantages of the TM include more precise measurements of the increased reflectance of vegetation in the green and near infrared. In addition, TM has improvement vegetation species differentiation, due to measurements made in new spectral bands. Preliminary TM data analysis reveals that systems have performed to optimum expectations.
Signals from defective picture elements rejected. Image processing program for use with charge-coupled device (CCD) or other mosaic imager augmented with algorithm that compensates for common type of electronic defect. Algorithm prevents false interpretation of "hotspots". Used for robotics, image enhancement, image analysis and digital television.