Hyperspectral image compressive projection algorithm

Abstract

We describe a compressive projection algorithm and experimentally assess its performance when used with a Hyperspectral Image Projector (HIP). The HIP is being developed by NIST for system-level performance testing of hyperspectral and multispectral imagers. It projects a two-dimensional image into the unit under test (UUT), whereby each pixel can have an independently programmable arbitrary spectrum. To efficiently project a single frame of dynamic realistic hyperspectral imagery through the collimator into the UUT, a compression algorithm has been developed whereby the series of abundance images and corresponding endmember spectra that comprise the image cube of that frame are first computed using an automated endmember-finding algorithm such as the Sequential Maximum Angle Convex Cone (SMACC) endmember model. Then these endmember spectra are projected sequentially on the HIP spectral engine in sync with the projection of the abundance images on the HIP spatial engine, during the singleframe exposure time of the UUT. The integrated spatial image captured by the UUT is the endmember-weighted sum of the abundance images, which results in the formation of a datacube for that frame. Compressive projection enables a much smaller set of broadband spectra to be projected than monochromatic projection, and thus utilizes the inherent multiplex advantage of the HIP spectral engine. As a result, radiometric brightness and projection frame rate are enhanced. In this paper, we use a visible breadboard HIP to experimentally assess the compressive projection algorithm performance.