New hierarchical joint classification method for SAR-optical multiresolution remote sensing data

In this paper, we develop a novel classification approach for multiresolution, multisensor (optical and synthetic aperture radar), and/or multiband images. Accurate and time-efficient classification methods are particularly important tools to support rapid and reliable assessment of the ground changes. Given the huge amount and variety of data available currently from last-generation satellite missions, the main difficulty is to develop a classifier that can take benefit of multiband, multiresolution, and multisensor input imagery. The proposed method addresses the problem of multisensor fusion of SAR with optical data for classification purposes, and allows input data collected at multiple resolutions and additional multiscale features derived through wavelets to be fused.