An Efficient Implementation of On-Board Cloud Detection on a Reconfigurable Computer

Abstract

The presence of cloud contamination can hinder the use of satellite data, and this requires a cloud detection process to mask out cloudy pixels from further processing. The trend for remote sensing satellite missions has always been towards smaller size, lower cost, more flexibility, and higher computational power. Reconfigurable Computers (RCs) combine the flexibility of traditional microprocessors with the power of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). Therefore, RCs are a promising candidate for on-board preprocessing. This paper presents the design and implementation of an RC-based real-time cloud detection system. We investigate the potential of using RCs for on-board preprocessing by prototyping the Landsat 7 ETM+ ACCA algorithm on one of the state-of-the art reconfigurable platforms, SRC-6E. Although a reasonable amount of investigations of the ACCA cloud detection algorithm using FPGAs has been reported in the literature, very few details/results were provided and/or limited contributions were accomplished. Our work has been proven to provide higher performance and higher detection accuracy.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 25, 2005
Accession Number
ADA450940

Entities

People

  • Esam El-araby
  • Jacqueline Le Moigne
  • Mohammed Taher
  • Tarek El-Ghazawi

Organizations

  • George Washington University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Sensors
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Accuracy
  • Algorithms
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cloud Cover
  • Clouds
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Data Processing
  • Detection
  • Field Programmable Gate Arrays
  • Filters
  • Hybrid Computers
  • Image Processing
  • Load Monitoring
  • Microprocessors
  • Platforms
  • Remote Sensing

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Parallel and Distributed Computing.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space