Tensor partial least squares for hyperspectral image classification

A hyperspectral image is classically a three-way (or tensor) block of data. In order to extract information from it, it has to be classified using image classifiers. Since classifiers are traditionally two-way classifiers, the hyperspectral data is unfolded into a two-way data. Processing the hyperspectral data as a two-way data often reduces the accuracy of the classification. This research explores the novel application of Tensor Partial Least Squares (TPLS) for hyperspectral image classification. TPLS has been proven to be more robust than the two-way PLS. Unlike the two-way classifiers, the TPLS utilises the hyperspectral data as a three-way (tensor) data. Two hyperspectral images of Indian Pines region in Northwest Indiana, USA and University of Pavia, Italy are used as test beds for the experiment. The results extracted by the model are the X loadings, Y loadings, X scores, and Y scores. The computed training mean r square values for Indian Pines and University of Pavia are 0.9061 +/- 0.74, and 0.9155 +/- 0.63 respectively. The results of the experiment show that the TPLS performed better than the unfolded PLS, but fell short of the notable traditional classifiers.