Data characterization for hyperspectral image compression

By their very nature, hyperspectral imagers collect much more data per pixel than more traditional imaging systems. With bandwidth limitations on the communications channels and storage space, intelligent system design, band selection, and/or data compression will be very important. In two recent Government-funded studies (completed in Dec. 1996), Kodak developed two preliminary compression options for hyperspectral imaging. As part of these studies, the band-to-band data correlation structures for both AVIRIS and HYDICE hyperspectral imaging systems were evaluated. Some surprising results were noted that have important implications to system designers.