A Low-Cost, GIS Spectral Scene Simulator for High Field Data Correlation

JRM Technologies, Inc., in conjunction with TerraSim and Surface Optics, propose to transition JRM's successful Phase I physics-based 0.4-25 um spectral ray-tracer into a complete, validated simulator prototype, capable of realistic tactical hyper-spectralscenarios from arbitrary GIS data sources.Four chief objectives are planned. First, various phenomenology and rendering improvements - including a procedural grass algorithm, multiple-ray-casting radiosity model, irradiance shadowing, tree-instanced forest creation, and sensor effects -- will beimplemented to further improve the spectral and spatial correlation of simulated forests and ground cover with HS field data.Second, modifications will be made to TerraSim's TerraTools database development products to facilitate low-effort production of the solid geometry scene databases (CSG) from GIS data for the spectral simulator to process. JRM will incorporate itsMaterial System modeling library into TerraTools to provide for appropriate surface optical, bulk and boundary condition property assignments to scene elements for reflectance and thermal calculations. It will also provide an involved utility to convertthe DMSO standard SEDRIS output to the CSG format.The JRM team will then integrate the various components and demonstrate a full end-to-end scenario simulation. A final validation experiment against field data is planned to make adjustments for a Phase III commercialization.