Analysis of Airborne Imaging Spectrometer Data: 
FLI and AVIRIS Image Comparisons 
J. R. Freemantlc and J. R. Miller 
Earth Observations Laboratory, 
Institute for Space and Terrestrial Science, 
4850 Keele Street, North York, Ontario, M3J 3K1 
Tel:(416)-665-5406, FAX:(416)-665-2032, 
E-Mail:freemant@eol.ists.ca, miller@ists.ists.ca 
Abstract 
An Imaging Spectrometer Analysis Package has been 
developed for the quantitative analysis of imaging spectrometer data 
from the Canadian Fluorescence Line Imager (FLI) and NASA’s 
Airborne Visible/Infrared Imaging Spectrometer (AVIRIS) at full 
radiometric (16 bit) and spectral resolution. The software emphasizes 
a quantitative, modular, analysis approach that provides for 
radiometric calibration, conversion to reflectances, atmospheric 
correction, and application of spectral and/or reflectance 
interpretation algorithms. These steps are carried out in an interactive 
mode by choosing pixels from a displayed image, plotting the spectral 
reflectance curves and examining derived parameter values. In this 
step analysis modules and interpretation algorithms are selected. The 
interpretation approach defined during the interactive stage is saved 
with the image file to permit batch processing of an entire image. 
The analysis approach will be demonstrated by a comparison 
of FLI and AVIRIS imaging spectrometer data over a vegetated 
target. The FLI has 288 spectral channels from 0.43 to 0.805 microns 
and is operated in both spatial and spectral modes whereas the 
AVIRIS data has a single mode with 224 spectral channels spanning 
0.4 to 2.5 microns, and 614 spatial pixels. Problems encountered in 
the comparisons of processed results from these different data sets 
are addressed. 
KEY WORDS : Imaging Spectrometery, Software Methodologies, 
Image Processing.