Home Page

What We Do

The Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing (DIRS) Laboratory serves as a focal point for remote sensing research and education at RIT.

The DIRS Laboratory focuses on the development of tools to extract information about the Earth from aerial and satellite imaging systems with an emphasis on the application of science and engineering to solving end-to-end remote sensing problems using a systems engineering approach. This includes design and development of imaging instruments, developing algorithms to extract information from remotely sensed systems and measurement, and modeling of the physical phenomena associated with the formation of remotely sensed images.

The DIRS Laboratory, formed more than 30 years ago, is housed within the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, an academic unit within RIT’s College of Science, and has about 40 graduate students conducting research who are supported by nine faculty and 22 full-time research and administrative staff.

DIRS also has on-going research partnerships with multiple federal agencies, large and small companies, and other academic institutions.

Contact Us

A blured backdrop of a wide angle dirsig scene representing a suburban scene

Current Projects


DIRSIG5 Development

The DIRSIG team has been focused on supporting large area scenes, new capabilities, and quality of life improvements. These improvements were developed under various projects with both internal and external collaborators. The new features and improvements resulted the addition of over 11,000 words of new documentation.


Simulation and Modeling to Support Improved Landsat Next Science

The purpose of this three-year research project is to conduct simulation and modeling studies to help inform requirements for the next Landsat Earth-observation system, i.e., The Landsat Instrument Suite (LandIS).  The next Landsat will be a significant deviation from past sensors as it will be comprised of three identical instruments, each containing twenty-six spectral bands, placed on separate observatories to address deficiencies in the Landsat data archive that were identified by science users; the next Landsat will have improved temporal, spectral, and spatial resolution.  A consequence of these required improvements to LandIS will be a significant increase in data volume.  As such, Year 1 efforts focused on the development of LandIS proxy data to assess compression routines designed to reduce the data volume while maintaining science quality data.  Note that the proxy datasets (see Figure 1) use a workflow that enables spectral simulations so all twenty-six LandIS bands can be rendered.


Enhanced 3D Sub-Canopy Mapping via Airborne/Spaceborne Full-Waveform LiDAREnhanced 3D Sub-Canopy Mapping via Airborne/Spaceborne Full-Waveform LiDAR

The Digital Imaging and Remote Sensing Image Generation (DIRSIG) software can generate geometrically and radiometrically accurate light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data, producing ground 3D (structural) truth data that would be nearly impossible to collect in complex forest environments. DIRSIG was leveraged to understand the nuances of a simulated forest, specifically Harvard Forest in Petersham, MA (Figure 1). This simulated forest included various materials such as bark, leaves, soil, and miscellaneous objects. LiDAR systems (airborne and spaceborne), which are useful for penetrating sub-canopy layers, were configured to collect LiDAR data. The resulting data sets provide valuable insights into forest health and sub-canopy intricacies, with applications in target detection, environmental monitoring, and forest management.


Unexploded Ordinance (UXO) and Landmine Detection using Drones and Multi-modal Imaging

This is a collaborative project between the Western New York IEEE GRSS Chapter and the GRSS Kolkata, India Chapter.  It is funded through an initiative called ProjNET which facilitates networking between global GRSS chapters.  The objective of this project is to leverage multimodal drone imagery for the detection and identification of remnants of war (UXO’s, landmines, etc.). 
It has been noted that explosive ordnances (EOs) have killed or injured 7073 people worldwide in 2020 alone. Recent estimates show that there are more than 100 million pieces of explosive ordnance worldwide unaccounted for.  Moreover, the leading cause of civilian casualties in Ukraine, for example, is antivehicle and antipersonnel land mines.  In addition to the large amounts of EO still prevalent, it is estimated that, using current technology, removal and clearance of land mines alone could take up to 1100 years.  This is clearly unacceptable.  The issue will soon manifest itself when the Ukraine war draws to a close.

News

Exterior view of the Chester F. Carlson building

Mission, Vision, and Value


Mission

To educate students and conduct research in the science, engineering and application of physics-based quantitative remote sensing and digital imaging systems (source-to-information) to aid in the solution of real-world problems.


Vision

Be known as the university laboratory of choice for education and research related to the physics-based phenomenology, modeling, collection, calibration, and analysis of remote sensing and digital imagery.


Value

Our core values include integrity, dedication, respect, and commitment to excellence in our educational, research and professional activities.