Remote Sensing

Research focus

The Peer review has evaluated this group as Average

The area of Remote Sensing is active within the Department research lines since 1987, when the first Italian University course of Remote Sensing started; moreover Prof. Giovanmaria Lechi has been a founder of the Italian Remote Sensing Society (AIT) and of the Italian Federation of Scientific Associations devoted to Environmental and Territorial Information (ASITA). The main objective is to provide the scientific basis and knowledge for developing new applications and new data processing techniques in the area of multispectral remote sensing, hyperspectral remote sensing and high geometric resolution satellite’s image processing (environmental analysis and mapping, analysis of multitemporal data, data fusion, natural hazards and disaster assessment, urban mapping, image registration and rectification, algorithm development, image classification, multitemporal analysis and change detection, accuracy assessment, sensor calibration, sensor validation and verification, feature extraction). The research activity develops according to the following main topics: ? New algorithms for data processing. The research on data processing is oriented toward the definition of new algorithms for panchromatic, multispectral and hyperspectral data processing. In particular, it was developed a new algorithm for the optimization of hyperspectral data in crop classification (the superspectral approach), a new technique for the radiometric calibration of airborne hyperspectral sensors (the flying test bench), a new algorithm for the bathymetry mapping from high resolution QuickBird multispectral data, and a new index for the urban change detection from mid-resolution multispectral data. A new and very promising research is oriented toward the implementation of a new orthoprojection technique for high resolution satellite’s imagery, based on the use of automation and non-conventional techniques (Automatic GCPs detection+Neural Networks+Rational Function Model). In this area, the Group Subject is actually involved as Co-Investigator in the Cartosat-1 Scientific Assessment Program (Dept. of Space, Gov. of India) and as Joint Science and Applications Team and also as Application Leader in the Canadian/Italian Joint Hyperspectral Mission (JHM) and as member in the commission “data policy and resource sharing” of the Italian Space Agency for the satellite mission called Cosmo-SkyMed. ? According to a very, very long tradition of data processing of the School of Milan, data are processed using both multivariate analysis, with stochastic and non interpolation, and topological studies, referring to graph theory and symmetry group (also in the relation with human sciences, e.g. linguistics): study cases involved 3D objects and their extensions, e.g. their dynamics in the time domain. ? Geo-databases updating using satellite’s imagery. In the last years the availability of high resolution satellite’s images (e.g. QuickBird, IKONOS, EROS-A, EROS-B, SPOT-5, OrbView-3) is introducing new challenges in the environment mapping such as the feasibility of using space imagery to create and update large and medium scale topographic maps and geo-databases. In particular, the goal which sounds really achievable is the update of maps at a scale of 1:10,000, which, today, is usually carried out on the base of aerial images. In this area, the Group Subject is involved, within National Research Programs partially founded by Italian Ministry of University and Research, in the definition of standard process to update the Technical Cartography at 1:10,000 scale using space-borne remotely sensed data. ? Environmental monitoring, Civil Protection and damage assessment. Nowadays, a large variety of satellite images (with different geometric resolution) are available for almost every land of the world. Thanks to the low-resolution satellites it is possible to monitor the environment at a synoptic scale, while using the medium-resolution satellites the environment could be monitored at a regional scale. Radar satellites can observe the Earth 24h and even during heavy cloud cover, while high resolution satellites can be used for detailed mapping and for metric purposes. In this area, the Group Subject is involved in many National (Italian Ministry of University and Research) and also International Programs (O.A.S.I.S. Program Framework - Centre National d’Études Spatiales/SpotImage, Joint Hyperspectral Mission - Canadian Space Agency & Italian Space Agency) regarding the use of Remote Sensing for the management of natural hazards as support to the operations of Civil Protection and for damage assessment after events like floodings, earth-quakes or fires. In particular, the Group Subject has developed new data processing techniques for post-flooding damage assessment using multispectral imagery.

Dipartimento di afferenza

Dipartimento di Ingegneria Idraulica, Ambientale, Infrastrutture Viarie, Rilevamento (DIIAR)

Docenti afferenti

Full Professors
Alberto Giussani
Luigi Mussio
Associate Professors
Giovanmaria Lechi
Assistant Professors
Marco Scaioni
Luigi Fregonese