Remote sensing image fusion: an update in the context of Digital Earth

Abstract

Remote sensing image fusion has come a long way from research experiments to an operational image processing technology. Having established a framework for image fusion at the end of the 90s, we now provide an overview on the advances in image fusion during the past 15 years. Assembling information about new remote sensing image fusion techniques, recent technical developments and their influence on image fusion, international societies and working groups, and new journals and publications, we provide insight into new trends. It becomes clear that image fusion facilitates remote sensing image exploitation. It aims at achieving better and more reliable information to better understand complex Earth systems. The numerous publications during the last decade show that remote sensing image fusion is a well-established research field. The experiences gained foster other technological developments in terms of sensor configuration and data exploitation. Multi-modal data usage enables the implementation of the concept of Digital Earth. In order to advance in this respect, we recommend that updated guidelines and a set of commonly accepted quality assessment criteria are needed in image fusion.