Comparison of Fusion Techniques Applied Image Quickbird-2

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to test four fusion techniques in order to improve the spatial quality of the Quickbird-2 satellite image. The four techniques used were the following: HSV and Brovey, utilizing three spectral bands in a color composite (3R2G1B); Gram-Schmidt and Principal Components, using the four spectral bands available in the image. The study area was a part of the ‘Irati’ National Forest in the State of Parana, Brazil. The image used was from the Quickbird-2 satellite, with one panchromatic and four multi-spectral bands. Analyzing the visual quality of the fused images, the best results, due to better retention of color, were generated by the Gram-Schmidt and Principal Components techniques. As the spectral fidelity of the fused images concerns the original multi-spectral, the Principal Component technique preserved the contrast of the original image better, while the Gram-Schmidt technique provided better results concerning the preservation of image brightness. Any of the fused images generated by the Gram-Schmidt and Principal Components methods can be used for thematic mapping activity to generate better picture quality compared to the original image.

Keywords:
spectral fidelity; image fusion; Quickbird 2.