A fast two-step algorithm for large-area thick cloud removal in high-resolution images. Issue 1 (2nd January 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Shaocong; Li, Zhiwei; Shen, Huanfeng; Lin, Dekun
• Is Part Of: Remote sensing letters. Volume 14:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2023-01-02
• Subjects: Thick cloud removal -- high-resolution images -- radiometric adjustment -- residual correction; Remote sensing -- Periodicals; Remote sensing; Periodicals; 621.3678
• DOI: 10.1080/2150704X.2022.2152753
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2150-704X

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Clouds are inevitable in optical satellite images, and affect the subsequent processing and application of the images. Thick cloud removal in high-resolution imagery is challenging due to the complex spatial and radiometric variations. In this letter, we present a two-step thick cloud removal method based on fast radiometric adjustment and residual correction (FRARC), which is effective for large-area thick cloud removal in high-resolution images. Compared with other thick cloud removal methods, the proposed FRARC method achieved both satisfactory results and a high efficiency in simulated and real-data experiments. In addition, as the area covered by clouds in the imagery increases, FRARC shows a more significant improvement in efficiency compared to the other methods. The proposed FRARC method can be applied to generate cloud-free images to support seamless mapping with high-resolution images.