A Low Cost IBM PC/AT Based Image Processing System for Satellite Image Analysis: A New Analytical Tool for the Resource Managers

Low-cost microcomputer systems can be assembled which possess computing power, color display, memory, and storage capacity approximately equal to graphic workstactions. A low-cost, flexible, and user-friendly IBM/PC/XT/AT based image processing system has been developed and named as KMIPS(KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology) Map and Image Processing Station). It can be easily utilized by the resource managers who are not computer specialists. This system can: * directly access Landsat MSS and TM, SPOT, NOAA AVHRR, MOS-1 satellite imagery and other imagery from different sources via magnetic tape drive connected with IBM/PC; * extract image up to 1024 line by 1024 column and display it up to 480 line by 672 column with 512 colors simultaneously available; * digitize photographs using a frame grabber subsystem(512 by 512 picture elements); * perform a variety of image analyses, GIS and terrain analyses, and display functions; and * generate map and hard copies to the various scales. All raster data input to the microcomputer system is geographically referenced to the topographic map series in any rater cell size selected by the user. This map oriented, georeferenced approach of this system enables user to create a very accurately registered(.+-.1 picture element), multivariable, multitemporal data sets which can be subsequently subsequently subjected to various analyses and display functions.