Full spectral imaging: a revisited approach to remote sensing

Current optical remote sensing instrument technology allows the acquisition and digitization of all of the reflected energy (light) across the full spectral range of interest. The current method for acquiring, transmitting, and processing this data is still based on the "multi-band" approach that has been used for the past thirty years. This approach was required due to limitations imposed by early instrument technology. This paper will present generalized concepts for acquiring, pre-processing, transmitting, and extracting information from full-spectral, remotely sensed data. The goal of the paper is to propose methods for changing from the current "bytes-per-band" approach to the "spectral curve" approach. The paper will describe how the Full Spectral Imaging (FSI) approach has the potential to greatly simplify instrument characterization and calibration and to significantly reduce data transmission and storage requirements. I will suggest how these improvements may be accomplished with no loss of remotely sensed information.