New technology for hyperspectral data processing and analysis can now be found in Geomatica 9, the latest edition of PCI Geomatics' widely used software solution. Among its many innovations, Geomatica 9 offers new hyperspectral data tools as well as pioneering data compression technology that was developed in cooperation with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). These latest elements, exclusive to Geomatica 9, make using hyperspectral data - often considered a cumbersome, memory intensive, and time-consuming data type - a practical and feasible data option for PCI Geomatics customers.

Hyperspectral image sensing, processing, and analysis allow for much easier discrimination of earth surface features that have signal absorption and reflection characteristics over narrow wavelength intervals. These reflection characteristics are normally lost within the relatively large bandwidths of a conventional multispectral scanner. The intricate spectral nature of the data collected, however, typically results in large and difficult to manage data sets.

The application of the PCI Geomatics Advanced Hyperspectral Package with the exclusive data compression technology provides users with many productivity advantages. Reduced program execution times have been achieved with impressive accuracy when using compressed hyperspectral data. Processing of large hyperspectral images can be carried out using desktop computers with moderate amounts of RAM and larger hyperspectral images no longer need to be divided into smaller images for processing.

The functionality built into the Geomatica 9 Advanced Hyperspectral Package provides viewing and analysis capabilities for effective processing of hyperspectral data (as well as over 100 spatial data formats). Capable of representing the many narrow and practically contiguous bands throughout the visible, near-infrared, and mid-infrared wavelengths, Geomatica 9 allows hyperspectral image sensing, processing, and analysis for easier isolation and accurate differentiation of earth surface features.

"The introduction of these innovative technologies for simplifying weighty hyperspectral processing represents a significant advancement in geomatics technology for professionals worldwide," observes Arnold Hougham, Vice President of Sales and Product Marketing for PCI Geomatics. "With advanced GIS features, atmospheric correction algorithms, and now easier hyperspectral processing and data compression capabilities, Geomatica 9 is ready to help people with all of their remote sensing, photogrammetry, spatial analysis, and cartography work."

The Advanced Hyperspectral Package is comprised of hyperspectral application programs, visualization programs accessible through the Geomatica 9 viewing environment, and spectral libraries from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The Vector Quantization Compressor is available as an add-on module. Released to the geomatics market in May 2003, Geomatica 9 is PCI Geomatics' newest edition of its widely used Geomatica software solution and the first to include the CSA's exclusive Vector Quantization Compressor.