Synthetic Image Generation of Shallow Waters Using a Parallelized Hyperspectral Monte Carlo & Analytical Radiative Transfer Model
Charles R. Bostater, Gen‐Tao Chiang, Lisa H. Huddleston, Manuel Gimond · Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE · 2003
Modeled hyperspectral reflectance signatures just above the water surface are obtained from radiative transfer models to create synthetic images of the water surface. Images are displayed as 24 bit RGB images of the water surface using selected channel. Comparisons are made in this paper between a hyperspectral Monte Carlo and a hyperspectral layered analytical model of radiative transport applicable to shallow water types. Images at the selected wavelengths or channels centered at 490, 530 and 680 nm suggest the two models provide the same results when displayed as RGB images. The most sensitive parameters for generating realistic images are water depth and bottom reflectance in clean natural, optically shallow waters. The images clearly demonstrate the need importance of detailed and accurate water depths.