Automatic cloud and snow detection for GF-1 and PRSS-1 remote sensing images

Abstract

In the remote sensing image processing field, cloud and snow detection for high-resolution sensors and cloud and snow morphology in different latitudes of the world is challenging. A deep learning training model (Softmax) was developed to improve the accuracy of cloud and snow identification from Gaofen-1 and Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-1 images. First, more than 1800 scenes remote sensing images in various regions over the world are collected. Next, the texture details and spectral information of the objects are extracted. Finally, the Softmax model is applied to process the features to obtain the final cloud and snow masks. The cloud and snow detection results are evaluated by performing statistical analysis. The overall accuracy for cloud detection reaches 92.64% (kappa coefficient = 0.83) and for snow detection reaches 93.94% (kappa coefficient = 0.8). The algorithm is not only accurate but also computationally efficient. It is of great importance for image processing in ground segment and corresponding applications.