Pulse Coupled Neural Networks for Automatic Urban Change Detection at Very High Spatial Resolution

In this paper, a novel unsupervised approach based on PulseCoupled Neural Networks (PCNNs) for image change detection is discussed. PCNNs are based on the implementation of the mechanisms underlying the visual cortex of small mammals and with respect to more traditional neural networks architectures own interesting advantages. In particular, they are unsupervised and context sensitive. The performance of the algorithm has been evaluated on very high spatial resolution QuickBird and WorldView-1 images. Qualitative and more quantitative results are discussed.