Hyperspectral imagery provides a scene analyst with a wealth of spectral (100s of channels in VNIR/SWIR) and spatial (10s of meters) information. The narrow bandwidth and contiguous nature of hyperspectral sensor channels provides the means to analyze scenes for many surface and atmospheric features. It also provides a source of spectral information that can be used to simulate the spectral response for other broadband channels.

The Hyperspectral Adaptive Band Simulator (AHABS) was developed to allow the simulation of various multispectral sensor channels using hyperspectral image data. The tool utilizes channel response functions and narrow band (10 nm) hyperspectral data from both AVIRIS and Hyperion sensors to not only simulate the channel image, but allow modifications to the spectral characteristics of the channel as well. This type of tool can be used to simulate new (future) sensor bands, investigate band anomalies due to wavelength shift or incorrect specifications, diagnose on-orbit spectral problems, and it supports trade studies on the effect of channel bandwidth on the quality of products that are created using these channels. AHABS incorporates useful applications such as principal components analysis which can be used to gain insight into the composition of the image.

Examples of the simulation of various existing and future multispectral sensors will be shown. An electronic demonstration of the tool will accompany the poster presentation.