On the use of cluster computing architectures for implementation of hyperspectral image analysis algorithms

Hyperspectral sensors represent the most advanced instruments currently available for remote sensing of the Earth. The high spatial and spectral resolution of the images supplied by systems like the airborne visible infra-red imaging spectrometer (AVIRIS), developed by NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, allows their exploitation in diverse applications, such as detection and control of wild fires and hazardous agents in water and atmosphere, detection of military targets and management of natural resources. Even though the above applications require a response in real time, few solutions are available to provide fast and efficient analysis of these types of data. This is mainly caused by the dimensionality of hyperspectral images, which limits their exploitation in analysis scenarios where the spatial and temporal requirements are very high. In the present work, we describe a new parallel methodology which deals with most of the previously addressed problems. The computational performance of the proposed analysis methodology is evaluated using two parallel computer systems, a SGI Origin 2000 shared memory system located at the European Center of Parallelism of Barcelona, and the Thunderhead Beowulf cluster at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.