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At least 163 records · Page 9

Automatic classification of soils and vegetation with ERTS-1 data

Preliminary results of a test of a computerized analysis method using ERTS 1 data are presented. The method consisted of a four-spectral-band supervised, maximum likelihood, Gaussian classifier with training statistics derived through a combination of clustering and manual methods. The multivariate analysis method leads to the assignment of each resolution element of the data to one of a preselected set of discrete classes. The data frame was an area over the Texas-Oklahoma border including Lake Texoma. The study suggests that multispectral scanner data coupled with machine processing shows promise for earth surface cover surveys. Futhermore, the processing time is short and consequently the costs are low; a full frame can be analyzed completely within 48 hours.

Landgrebe, D. A.↗

Evaluate ERTS imagery for mapping and detection of changes of snowcover on land and on glaciers

The author has identified the following significant results. A possibly more accurate method to determine snowcover area change has been tried; snowcover area change over periods of an ERTS-1 cycle are very useful in determining energy balances over regional areas and to determine snow depth as a function of altitude. Also since shadow and cloud cover areas are highlighted this method may be a step toward more complete machine processing.

Meier, M. F.↗

Evaluation and comparison of ERTS measurements of major crops and soil associations for selected sites in the central United States

The author has identified the following significant results. The most significant result was the use of the temporal overlay technique where the computer was used to overlay ERTS-1 data from three different dates (9 Oct., 14 Nov., 2 Dec.). The registration of MSS digital data from different dates was estimated to be accurate within one half resolution element. The temporal overlay capability provides a significant advance in machine-processing of MSS data. It is no longer essential to go through the tedious exercise of locating ground observation sites on the digital data from each ERTS-1 overpass. Once the address of a ground observation site has been located on a digital tape from any ERTS-1 overpass, the overlay technique can be used to locate the same address on a digital tape of MSS data from any other ERTS-1 pass over the same area. The temporal overlay technique also adds a valuable dimension for identifying and mapping changes in vegetation, water, and other dynamic surface features.

Baumgardner, M. F.↗

Identification and Mapping of Soils, Vegetation, and Water Resources of Lynn County, Texas, by Computer Analysis of ERTS MSS Data

Results of the analysis and interpretation of ERTS multispectral data obtained over Lynn County, Texas, are presented. The test site was chosen because it embodies a variety of problems associated with the development and management of agricultural resources in the Southern Great Plains. Lynn County is one of ten counties in a larger test site centering around Lubbock, Texas. The purpose of this study is to examine the utility of ERTS data in identifying, characterizing, and mapping soils, vegetation, and water resources in this semiarid region. Successful application of multispectral remote sensing and machine-processing techniques to arid and seminarid land-management problems will provide valuable new tools for the more than one-third of the world's lands lying in arid-semiarid regions.

Baumgardner, M. F.↗

Land Use and Mapping

From the standpoint of technology, the most encouraging thing about ERTS has been the level of land-use identification. Land-use detail has exceeded the expectations of the Interagency Steering Committee and the requirements of land-use classification proposed by the Department of Interior. Whereas in the latter instance it was anticipated that only nine classes of land use would probably be identifiable, in fact some 14 to 18 classes have been identified. The success in the level of land-use identification results primarily from the various attributes of the ERTS system. These include the ability to provide repetitive coverage, and in particular seasonal coverage; the ability to image in four bands of the electromagnetic spectrum (green, red, and two near-infrared), which allows for manipulation of various combinations of bands; and the provision by the ERTS system of computer-compatible tapes for machine processing of data. Furthermore, the resolution of ERTS imagery has been better than expected. Although there is some question as to its exact resolving power, it is safe to say objects as small as 100 meters (300 feet) in diameter have been identified. Linear features as narrow as 16 meters (50 feet) can be detected (Figure 1).

Lindgren, D. T.↗

Utilization of ERTS-1 data to monitor and classify eutrophication of inland lakes

The author has identified the following significant results. Significant findings are: (1) one-acre lakes and one-acre islands are detectable; (2)removal of atmospheric parameters derived from RPMI measurements show test lakes to have reflectances of 3.1 to 5.5% in band 4 and 0.3 to 2.3% in band 5; (3) failure to remove reflectance caused by atmosphere results in errors up to 500% in computing lake reflectance from ERTS-1 data; (4) in band 4, up to seven reflectance levels were observed in test lakes; (5) reflectance patterns have been displayed on a color-coded TV monitor and on computer-generated gray scales; (6) deep and shallow water can be separated by a trained photointerpreter and automatic machine processing, with estimates of water depth possible in some cases; (7) RPMI provides direct spectral signature measurements of lakes and lake features such as algal scums and floating plants; (8) a method is reported for obtaining lake color, as estimated by Forel-Ule standards, from ERTS-1 data; (9) a strong correlation between browner water color, diminishing water transparency; and (10) classifying lake eutrophication by observation of surface scums or macrophytes in shallow water seems straightforward.

Rogers, R. H.↗

Conjugate point determination for multitemporal data overlay

The machine processing is discussed of spatially variant multitemporal data such as imagery obtained at different times which requires that these data be in geometrical registration so that the analysis processor may obtain the datum for a specified ground resolution element in each of the sets of imagery being utilized for analysis. Misregistration between corresponding subsets of imagery contains both a displacement and a geometrical distortion component. Search techniques utilizing the moduli of the Fourier Transforms are developed for estimating the coefficients of geometrical distortion components of this model. Following the correction of these distortion components, the displacement is located by the crosscorrelation of a template obtained from one set of data, termed the reference, with the second, or background data. This template, derived for the optimum discrimination of the reference data embedded in the background, is determined by the solution of a system of equations involving the reference data and the covariance matrix of these data.

Emmert, R. A.↗

Ground Operations Aerospace Language (GOAL). Volume 2: Compiler

The principal elements and functions of the Ground Operations Aerospace Language (GOAL) compiler are presented. The technique used to transcribe the syntax diagrams into machine processable format for use by the parsing routines is described. An explanation of the parsing technique used to process GOAL source statements is included. The compiler diagnostics and the output reports generated during a GOAL compilation are explained. A description of the GOAL program package is provided.

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Michigan experimental multispectral mapping system: A description of the M7 airborne sensor and its performance

The development and characteristics of a multispectral band scanner for an airborne mapping system are discussed. The sensor operates in the ultraviolet, visual, and infrared frequencies. Any twelve of the bands may be selected for simultaneous, optically registered recording on a 14-track analog tape recorder. Multispectral imagery recorded on magnetic tape in the aircraft can be laboratory reproduced on film strips for visual analysis or optionally machine processed in analog and/or digital computers before display. The airborne system performance is analyzed.

Hasell, P. G., Jr.↗

A composition analyzer for microparticles using a spark ion source

Iron microparticles were fired onto a capacitor-type microparticle detector which responded to an impact with a spark discharge. Ion currents were extracted from the spark and analyzed in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The mass spectra showed the element of both detector and particle materials. The total extracted ion currents was typically 10A within a period of 100ns, indicating very efficient vaporization of the particle and ionization of the vapor. Potential applications include research on cosmic dust, atmospheric aerosols and cloud droplets, particles ejected by rocket or jet engines, by machining processes, or by nuclear bomb explosions.

Auer, S. O.↗

Study of the utilization of EREP data from the Wabash River Basin

The author has identified the following significant results. The results so far indicate that filtering the S192 data helped improve the data for machine processing. Bands 1 and 2 improved considerably. Since bands 4, 5, 6, and 12 were unavailable, no conclusions can be drawn for those bands. Little change has been shown so far in the other bands.

Silva, L. F.↗

Apollo Soyuz Test Project photographic processing control plan

The laboratory controls to be used within the photographic technology division (PTD) for processing original space flight films exposed on the Apollo Soyuz Test Project mission are specified. The sensitometric exposures to be used by PTD for certifying processes, for exposing Houston Controls, and for preflight and postflight exposures on original films as well as procedures for film certification are described. Processing conditions used to achieve each control and processing machine operating parameters are included.

Lockwood, H. E.↗

Remote sensing over North Merritt Island

The author has identified the following significant results. For monitoring the surface environment of North Merritt Island, two methods are studied, namely, color infrared photography and machine processing of LANDSAT multispectral scanner data. C.I.R. photos made at a height of about 12,000 ft were found to define the borders of ground features around the space shuttle runway with a nonsignificant mean error of 0.138 meters but a wide range, which can be reduced with photos taken at about 6,000 ft. LANDSAT multispectral scanner data, transformed by use of the function f(g) = g1 + g2 -g3 -g4 where g1, g2, g3, and g4 represent reflectance or grey levels of multispectral channels 1,2,3, and 4, gave values which are classifiable into a relatively small number of categories.

Poonai, P.↗

Digital image-rectification system

System removes spatial distortions from data and brings data into conformance with Universal Transverse Mercator map projection, produces digital output products suitable for further machine processing and analysis, and fills need for geometrically corrected Landsat multispectral scanner digital data in several remote sensing application areas.

Van Wie, P. H.↗

Document restoration by computer techniques

Technique utilizes automated electronic data-processing machine to successfully recover illegible information from faded or age distorted documents. Once recovered, information can be displayed on cathode-ray-tube screen or reproduced in any desired size.

Mogavero, L.↗

A methodology for small scale rural land use mapping in semi-arid developing countries using orbital imagery. Part 3: Review of land use surveys using orbital imagery in the USA

The author has identified the following significant results. Techniques of preprocessing, interpretation, classification, and ground truth sampling were studied. It has shown the need for a low cost, low level technology, viable, operational methodology to replace the emphasis given in the U.S. to machine processing, which many developing countries cannot afford, understand, nor implement.

Vangenderen, J. L.↗

Composition analyzer for microparticles using a spark ion source

Iron microparticles were fired onto a capacitor-type microparticle detector which responded to an impact with a spark discharge. Ion currents were extracted from the spark and analyzed in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The mass spectra showed the elements of both detector and particle materials. The total extracted ion current was typically 10 A within a period of 100 nsec, indicating very efficient vaporization of the particle and ionization of the vapor. Potential applications include research on cosmic dust, atmospheric aerosols and cloud droplets, particles ejected by rocket or jet engines, by machining processes or by nuclear bomb explosions.

Auer, S.↗

First concept for a tropical area monitoring project

The first concept of a tropical area monitoring project is presented. The project would develop an operational system capable of monitoring land areas by machine processing of satellite data. LANDSAT images would be processed within a controlled isolable unit to detect changes in forest cover, rangeland, soil integrity, and other factors important to conservation of tropical ecology. An introductory developmental effort is described to demonstrate the use of LANDSAT data in this application. The independent unit, which functions as a user organization within the development project, assures that the technology will be transferable to a user organization through well defined, easily monitored interfaces with the rest of the world.

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