Spatial Information on natural and man made features of the earth's surface and their condition and change over time is now recognized as critical for sustainable use and to remain in technology driven competitive environment. Remote sensing has matured as an information technology that provides a wide variety of spatial information in easily accessibility forms. Images and associated information can be obtained from building and mine sites to natural resources at national and global scales at time scales of hours and days to years and decades. Monitoring of Earth involves acquisition of information gathered without physical contact using sensors ranging from cameras to radar to multi-spectral scanners mounted on satellites, aircraft and tripods. Analysis involves a whole array of computer-based techniques to extract information for decision support models used by managers and decision-makers. Management involves recognizing the impact that spatial variability has on the enterprise and using spatial measurements to devise solutions.

2. The current generations of space borne optical images are either panchromatic or multispectral providing just a few spectral bands and limited resolving power. Hyperspectral images typically collect data in contiguous narrow bands (up to several hundred bands) in the electromagnetic spectrum. They produce vast quantities of data because of the number of bands simultaneously imaged. Present day state-of-the-art digital image processing hardware and software can provide the image analyst the opportunity to use multispectral imagery (MSI) and, in the future, hyper-spectral imagery (HSI) for evaluating and monitoring terrain and target features. For example, just as agriculture professionals now know to purchase three specific bands of Landsat multispectral data instead of all seven so too will precision farming experts choose solutions-oriented products derived from the hyperspectral data set. Here, the advanced algorithms in some image processing packages assist them in handling large data files. For instance, Research Systems has included Principal Component Analysis and Minimum Noise Fraction routines in ENVI to reduce data file sizes.

A spaceborne hyperspectral sensor will be an enabling tool used to monitor both static and dynamic targets at high spectral and spatial resolution with greater accuracy and capability of developing unique image products. Typically, the analysis of a hyperspectral scene involves the decomposition of each pixel in the image into its constituents, where these are represented by spectra of relatively pure material, which are themselves extracted from the scene. The identity of these constituents is determined by comparison with 'library' spectra of known materials measured in the field or in the laboratory. All objects reflect, absorb, or emit electromagnetic radiation based on their composition. A hyperspectral sensor, using reflected solar radiation (0.4 micrometers - 2.5 micrometers wavelength range), captures the unique spectra, or 'spectral signature', of an object, which can then be used to identify and quantify the material(s) of which it is composed.

During the past few years several imaging spectrometer systems are customized for various applications including algorithms for data processing, for example the Thermal Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (TIRIS), the Intelligent Missile Seeker (IMS) and the applications to lithological mapping, geobotanical mapping, development of algorithms and related information products in exploration geology, environmental monitoring and assessment, agriculture (Crop Health Monitoring), wetlands, manufacturing (Advanced Manufacturing Technology), medical photodiagnosis imaging (Small Target Detection & Search and Rescue Operations), camouflage detection, land mine detection, counterfeit currency and cannibas detection, emergency response & plume tracking, battle field monitoring of CB agents, detection of illicit drug manufacturing by products, etc. The chemical & biological defenses are among the current military applications. A military hyperspectral user who can "see deep" through the Earth's atmosphere and accurately locate and identify objects of interest on the ground in real time, will have a decided advantage on the modern battle space. For each application area, hyperspectral products are identified, the potential benefits of hyperspectral data are outlined and potential user groups are indicated. Within each of these application areas, extensive field campaigns, including data acquisition and associated ground reference for the validation and evaluation of algorithms and information products, have occurred. The laboratory and field spectral measurements (reflectance, emittance, and luminescence) of different natural resources and man-made materials are to be generated as hard copy and soft copy.

For this capability and above said applications to be exploitable, it is essential to develop hyperspectral technology with well-populated spectral library and is to be accessible in a user-friendly way by the user of this technology. In India, Hyper spectral signature studies and database systems are currently inadequate and need to be developed further. Thus, from sensor to desktop, NRDMS-DST invite you to join in presenting the latest technologies and developments in acquisition and applications in remote sensing, GIS and GPS with minimal human intervention. So that, data users and value-added providers will have the opportunity to share their experiences using these advanced and exciting new technologies to optimize projects, analyze and solve problems, and explore new applications and technology improvements.

So, current advances including new hyperspectral sensors, spectral signature studies to different above said applications, developing algorithms, object oriented image analysis to different application in the spatial information technology are the timely event. This sub-programme of NRDMS, DST will draw together experts and users involved in the monitoring of earth to management under the spatial variability.

• Spectral / Hyper spectral Data (requirements, acquisition, analysis, quality visualization, spatial- temporal modeling and applications)

• Spectral Database Management (Development, Updation and Maintenance)

• Data Integration (including Geophysics, Geochemistry, Ecology, DEMs with Spectral Data)

• Spatial querying of data, object orient Image analysis, information and their qualities

• Spatial data models for uncertain objects and their relationships

• Spatial data mining and fusion including data quality

• Geostatistical approaches Applications (including GIS, RS and GPS etc)

• Visualizing uncertainties in remote sensing and spatial data and analysis

• 3D Geo-information (data collection, analysis, Visualisation and Applications)

• ASTER, MODIS and High Resolution Hyper spectral Sensors: Applications and Processing

• Thermal infrared, RADAR Applications and Data Processing

• High-resolution satellite imagery and Digital photogrammetry aerial and terrestrial) Applications

• Applications of Indian Remote Sensing satellite data

• Agricultural, Marine and Water Resources mapping and management

• Regolith and Soil Mapping

• Geological Mapping and Mineral Exploration applications and management

• Monitoring of Ecological land surface changes

• The spectra library once developed will help the community in various aspects like, natural resources mapping, crop estimation, change detection etc

Considering the importance of the R&D study on spectra signature development and management in Indian context, DST, NRDMS has formulated a working group with members drawn from various Universities, Research Institutions and R&D laboratories.

The Working Group constitution: The members of the Working Group are

GOALS FOR WORKING GROUP:

The Advanced Working Group Meet has identified the short and long term goals

a. The Short term goals are,

• Select 10 objects
  

• Develop interdisciplinary projects
  

• Develop technologies to camouflage these objects
  

• Standardize the technologies
  

• Submit the reports
  

• Time line (10 to 18 months) and
  

• DST will support the programme.

b. The Long term goals includes,

• Development of national signature database
  

• Integration of ICT specifically web enablement
  

• Thrust Areas
  

• Expansion of Working Groups
  

• Time line (36 to 60 months)
  

• DST will support the program

In order to fulfill and achieve the above goals, the immediate action plan were prepared in the form of

• To conduct 2nd workshop
  

• To identify center for spectral signature technology
  

• To establish international linkages and
  

• To plan for national conference on spectral signature studies