UNSUPERVISED CLASSIFICATION

Mirza Muhammad Waqar

Contact:
mirza.waqar@ist.edu.pk
+92-21-34650765-79 EXT:2257

RG610

Course: Introduction to RS & DIP

Contents
2

Satellite Image Classification

Spectral vs Spatial Pattern Recognition
Feature Space
Image Spectral Signature
Limitations in Classification
Unsupervised Classification

Clustering Algorithms
K-means

Approach
ISODATA Model
Texture or Roughness Model

Post Classification

Satellite Image Classification

Automatic categorization of all pixel into land

cover classes.

To explore different land covers in a satellite

image.
To assign unique no or symbol to particular
land cover.
Qualitative and Quantitative analysis of
satellite image.

Spectral vs Spatial

Spectral pattern recognition

Family of classification procedures that utilize
pixel by pixel spectral information as the
basis for automated land cover classification.

Spatial pattern recognition

Categorization of image pixels on the basis of
their spatial relationship with pixels
surrounding them.

Feature Space

Feature Space

Image Spectral Signatures

Satellite Image
Classification

Three types of classifications

Un-Supervised Classification
Supervised Classification
Hybrid Classification

Limitations in Classification

Limitations face in satellite image

classification

Pixel Size
All Statistical parameters are developed for
normalized distribution.

Un-Supervised Classification

Use to cluster pixels based on statistics only.

No user defined training classes required.
Machine based classification.
Post classification is of more importance to
make results meaningful.
Incorporate all the natural groups in satellite
image (spectral classes).
Un-supervised Classification have two phases.

Clustering
Post Classification

Clustering Algorithms

Numerous clustering algorithms

K-means Approach
ISODATA Model
Texture or Roughness Model

K-means Approach

Accept number of clusters to be located in

the data.
Arbitrarily locate that number of cluster
centers in multi-dimensional
measurement space.
Each pixel is assigned to the cluster whose
mean vector is closest.

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K-Mean Approach

New means are computed.

Revised clustering on the base of new
computed means.
This process continue until there is no
significant change in clusters mean.

ISODATA Model

Iterative Self-Organizing Data Analysis.

Follow K-mean principle for clustering.
Accept number of clutters, number of
iterations & convergence tolerance from the
user and form clusters.
Permits number of clusters to change from
one iteration to the next, by merging,
splitting and deleting clusters based on
spatial statistics and user defined
conditions.

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Texture or Roughness Model

It incorporate a sensitivity to image

texture or roughness as a basis for
establishing clusters centers.
Texture is computed through multidimensional variance observed in moving
window (e.g. a 3x3 window).
Analyst sets a variance threshold below
which window is consider smooth and
above which it is considered rough.

Texture or Roughness Model

The mean of the first smooth window

encountered in the image becomes the
first cluster center.
The mean of the second smooth window
encountered in the image becomes the
second cluster center and so forth.
This process continue until the user
defined no of clusters reached.

Post Classification

In post classification phase, analyst compare

spectral classes with some reference data to
determine the identify of the spectral classes.
Spectral reflectance curves can be used to
identify the spectral classes.
Defining the level of classification
Merging different classes to reach final
outcome.
Accuracy assessment through field truthing.

Spectral Classes

Identity of Spectral
Class

Corresponding
Desired Information
Category

Possible outcome 1

Water

Water

Coniferous trees

Coniferous trees

Broad Leave trees

Broad Leave trees

Bare Soil

Bare Soil

Rocks

Rocks

Built-up Area

Built-up Area

Water

Water

Coniferous trees

Forest

Broad Leave trees

Bare Soil

Rocks

Roads

Urban Area

Possible outcome 2

Open Land

Built-up Area

Questions & Discussion