Data Types and Sources

UNIT 6 REMOTE SENSING DATA

PRODUCTS AND FORMATS

Structure
6.1 Introduction
Objectives
6.2 What is a Data Product?
6.3 Index Numbers for Data Products
6.4 Types of Data Products
Products Based on Level of Processing
Products Based on Output Media/Scale
Products Based on Area of Coverage
6.5 What is Data Format?
Types of Data Formats
Standards of Data Formats
6.6 Product Code
6.7 Placing an Order for a Data Product
6.8 Activity
6.9 Summary
6.10 Unit End Questions
6.11 References
6.12 Further/Suggested Reading
6.13 Answers

6.1 INTRODUCTION
You have been introduced to the basic concepts of remote sensing, its
principles and applications, in detail in Block 1 Introduction to
Geoinformatics of MGY-001 Overview of Geoinformatics . You will find more
details about remote sensing in Block 1 Introduction to Remote Sensing and
Block 2 Sensors and Space Programmes of the course MGY-002
Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation, which will include electromagnetic
radiation and its interactions with matter, remote sensing regions and bands,
spectral signatures/response patterns of some common natural objects, sensors
and platforms and image resolutions. The raw remote sensing data recorded
through the medium of electromagnetic radiation contain many systematic
distortions and errors. The data have to be processed to remove the distortions
and errors. Finally, the data are converted into various products to be supplied
to users for various applications. There is a remarkable difference between raw
remote sensing data recorded and processed remote sensing data which is
supplied to users.

In this unit, you will be first introduced to remote sensing data products and
formats. You will also get an idea about how and where to procure remote
sensing data products from i.e. data centers/suppliers.
39
Concepts of Geospatial Remote sensing data is a product like a block of aluminium metal before it is
Data
shaped into a usable utensil/vessel. You will find that the whole process with
raw satellite images is just like collecting a raw material and processing the
same into a finished one, just as aluminium ore (i.e. bauxite) is processed into
aluminium metal to be used to make utensils/vessels.

Objectives
After reading this unit you should be able to:
• define what is a data product;
• list out the types of data products;
• discuss about different types of data formats; and
• identify how and where to acquire remote sensing data.

6.2 WHAT IS A DATA PRODUCT?

The first step while starting a geoinformatics related project is to place an
order for the procurement of remote sensing data. There are two types of data
used in geoinformatics. One is raster data and the other is vector data. When
we talk of remote sensing data, we always mean raster data. In its simplest
form, a raster data means data consisting of a matrix of cells or pixels
(Fig. 6.1) organised into rows and columns (or a grid) where each cell contains
A ‘pixel’ is the smallest a value representing information, such as reflected electromagnetic radiation
cell of an image, repre- (EMR), temperature, or height values (Fig. 6.1). Raster data products include
senting a unit area of the digital aerial photographs, imagery from satellites, digital pictures, or even
Earth’s surface. scanned maps.
You will learn more about
digital images in Unit 10
Characteristics of Digital
Remote Sensing Images of
MGY-002 Remote
Sensing and Image
Interpretation

Fig. 6.1: Arrangement of grid cells or pixels in raster data (source: Arc GIS Guide Book
by ESRI, http://kompeni.net/category/pdf-file)

The data from various sensors are presented in a form and format with
specified radiometric and geometric accuracy which can be readily used by
various application scientists for specific themes of their interest. Remote
40
sensing data can be procured by a number of users for various applications and Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
information extraction, in the form of a ‘data product’. This may be in the
form of photographic output for visual processing or in a digital format Data Products are: data
amenable for further computer processing. from various sensors in a
suitable and standard
form and format, which
There are varieties of remote sensing data which are acquired by different
can be readily used by
sensors and satellites. Before reaching to users, the data undergo some user.
processing steps. Requirements of users may vary depending upon their
interests and project objectives, hence there are various remote sensing data
providers/suppliers which prepare variety of data products in different formats.

To order, a data the user should be aware of the types of data products
available with the data agencies/suppliers. Once the data are received by the
users, these need to be changed into a form required to perform image analysis
task. To convert the data into required form, the users should have basic
understanding of the characteristics of different data formats. It would be a
time consuming and difficult task for users to understand all different data and
their formats. Hence, there are some standards which are followed by data
centers/suppliers with regard to the data products and formats for sharing with
a variety of users.

Remote sensing data products are generated in certain ‘data formats’ about
which the users must be aware of, for various practical reasons. Pre-processed
remote sensing data are generated into a number of products, like hardcopy
prints on various types of papers, digital data on various types of computer
compatible media, like tapes, compact discs (CDs), DVDs, and various other
computer compatible storage devices. If the data product is in hard copy print
then it is impossible to carry out any further processing or conversion before
use. But if the product is in digital form, it may be possible to convert the data
into a processed digital image. It may be further required to carry out certain
processing before any image analysis operation is performed. Types of data
products may vary from country to country and/or from one data provider to
another. Here, an account is given about the various data products made
available in India to users by the National Data Center (NDC) of National
Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation
(ISRO), situated at Hyderabad.

6.3 INDEX NUMBERS FOR DATA PRODUCTS

All remote sensing data products carry a specific index number. This index
number is generated using the satellite path which runs from North Pole to
South Pole of Earth. This pole to pole coverage on the Earth for each pass of
the satellite is given a specific number, called path number or track number.
In case of coverage of India, path numbers range from 88 to 116 from west to
east for LISS sensor of IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) satellites. These paths
are nothing but orbital tracks of a satellite which at a small angle from
geographical north-south, and are somewhat parallel to each other. East-West
lines (called row) cut across these lines giving a grid like structure. This is
how a series of columns and rows are created. Just like each column is given a
specific number, each row is also given a specific number. India is covered by
rows 45 to 70 from north to south. In a similar way, the entire world is
covered by paths and rows, and each grid (a scene) is identified by a specific
41
Concepts of Geospatial path and row number (Fig. 6.2). For example, Lucknow’s scene of IRS image
Data
has an index number 100-53 (Path-Row). As the path-row for different
satellites are different, the index number of Lucknow image for other satellites
will not be the same.

Fig. 6.2: A sample piece from Index chart of IRS-1C. You can see in map that the
Lucknow city is covered in the data having Path-100 and Row-53

6.4 TYPES OF DATA PRODUCTS

The types of remote sensing data products depend on:
• level of processing
• output media/scale and
• area of coverage.

6.4.1 Products Based on Level of Processing

Based on level of processing, the data products are classified into following
three types:
a) standard products
b) value added products and
c) derived products.
You will learn about Let us now discuss about each of these three classes of remote sensing
radiometric and geometric products. You may note that the information presented here is sourced to the
distortions and corrections content in NRSC website (www.nrsc.gov.in/products.html). You can log onto
in Block 4 Processing and
Classification of Remotely
this website and get the information, as given here in the following pages.
Sensed Images of MGY-
a) Standard Data Products
002 Remote Sensing and
Image Interpretation. These products are generated using information received directly from the
satellites and by applying necessary radiometric and geometric corrections.
42
These products are of various types. You will read some important aspects of Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
standard products;
• Path-Row Based Standard Products: Actually, the data are recorded by
the sensors along the track/path of the satellite covering a specific width
(across the satellite track/path). The user specifies path and row of the
scene, sensor, sub-scene (if any), number of scenes, date of pass of the
satellite, band numbers/band combination (for photographic products)
and the product code (specified by the data provider) as necessary
information to procure the desired products from the provider, for
example in India, the National Data Centre (NDC) of National Remote
Sensing Centre (NRSC), Hyderabad.
• Shift Along Track (SAT) Products: In case a user’s area of interest falls
between two successive scenes of the same path (one below the other),
the data can be supplied by sliding the scene in along-the-track direction.
These products are called Shift-Along-Track Products. In this case, the
percentage (10% to 90% in multiples of 10%) of shift has to be specified
by the user in addition to the other necessary information about both the
scenes.
• Quadrant Products: In IRS series of satellites, LISS III full scene (path/
row based products) data has been divided into 4 nominal quadrants
designated by letter A, B, C & D. Each of these quadrants is one full
scene of PAN data (B & W data), and is further divided into 9 quadrants.
These are given numbers from 1 to 9 which are nothing but PAN sub-
scenes. While placing a request for these products, users need to specify
the quadrant number in addition to the details specified for path/row
based products (Fig. 6.3).

Fig. 6.3: Detailed Indexing Method of IRS-1C LISS III and PAN data products

• Georeferenced Products: Georeferencing is the process of transforming

the remote sensing data or a map to a coordinate and projection system.
This means, all the objects/elements in remote sensing data and the map
get specific geographic location in terms of longitudes and latitudes.
Thus, georeferenced products are north-east oriented products.
• Basic Stereo Products: A stereo-pair comprises two images of the same
area, acquired on different dates or same day; from different angles.
These products are used for generating digital elevation maps or 3D
visualization of the study area. Cartosat-1 mission provides along track
stereo images. 43
Concepts of Geospatial • Area of Interest (AOI) based Products: Users may define their area of
Data
interest according to the extent of study area. Scenes covering the user’s
AOI can be selected and ordered for procurement. The scenes covering
the users AOI are provided as tiles and are not mosaicked. The minimum
order/quantity for IRS P5 products is 25 × 25 sq km and that for IRS-P6
data is 23 × 23 sq km for LISS IV and maximum order/quantity is 10,000
sq km. AOI based products are provided as digital products (CD/DVD)
only. Cartosat-1 products are supplied with different processing levels,
viz.
i) Radiometrically corrected products and
ii) Orthokit - apart from radiometric corrections, these products are
also provided with user defined projections.
b) Value Added Products
When standard products are processed according to specifications and
requirements of users, these products get converted into value added products.
These products are basically of four types viz.
• Geocoded products
• Merged products
• Ortho product and
• Template registered products.
Let us now discuss in some detail about these four types of products.
• Geocoded Products: These products are also known as georeferenced
products (mentioned in one of the preceding paragraphs). Geocoding
can be performed with reference to both topographical maps and floating
points. Thus, geocoded products are of two types viz. topographical map
based products, and floating point (not based on topographical maps)
based products.
• Merged Products: Remote sensing satellites record multiband/multi-
spectral (MSS) data and single-band/panchromatic data. Panchromatic/
mono-band data contains higher spatial resolution and multi-band data
have comparatively low in spatial resolution. When MSS data area is
merged with panchromatic data, we get MSS data with spatial resolution
of panchromatic data. Data can be merged only when both MSS and
PAN data have been registered with the same georeferencing system.
• Ortho Products: Geometrically corrected products, with corrections for
displacement caused by tilt and relief, are called Ortho Products.
Therefore, ortho images show ground objects in their true planimetric
positions, like the positions of objects in a map. The basic inputs
required for ortho-image generation are: (i) Digital Elevation Model, (ii)
Ground Control Points, (iii) Satellite ephemeris (orbit and altitude
information), and (iv) Radiometrically corrected satellite data.
• Template Registered Products: In specific cases, such as the study of
crops and their monitoring, data of the same area having similar
geometric fidelity and temporally registered are required. Such data sets
are called template registered products. In India, data from AWiFS sensor
44
 is envisaged for extensive use in crop monitoring. Such data sets are Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
called templates in RESOURCESAT-1 context. These templates are used
as reference images to register the AWiFS scene data. The template space
is a fixed spatial reference grid over India. Full India space is overlaid
with 1º×1º template grid, and each grid can be uniquely identified by a
number.

c) Derived Products
Information extracted from remote sensing data is also provided as useful
products by data providers. For example, vegetation index map or sea surface
temperature profiles extracted from various remote sensing data products are
called derived products. These derived products are generated by further
processing /analysing the data, and are readily usable by the user. Based on
output media, data products are available on both photographic as well as
digital media. Photographic products can be supplied as films or prints. Output
products can vary from 1:1 million to 1:50000 or even to 1:25000. The
following table gives detailed information on the type of product available for
various sensors of IRS series of satellites. The table is reproduced from the
content of NRSC website (www.nrsc.gov.in/products.html).

6.4.2 Products Based on Output Media/Scale

NRSC provides remote sensing products in two types of media:
• photographic media
• digital media.
Photographic products are supplied on film or paper prints. The scale of these
photographic products can range from 1:1M to 1:5000.

6.4.3 Products Based on Area of Coverage

You will find main types of remote sensing data products based on area of
coverage, as given in Table 6.1.
Table 6.1: Main types of remote sensing data products based on area of coverage
No Types of Remote Sensing Products Sensors/Satellites

1 Full Scenes-all bands PAN from LISS-III & LISS-IV; AWIFS;

TM; MLA; PLA; WIFS; OCM; MSMR;
MODIS

2 Full Scenes-specified bands LISS-III, LISS-II, LISS-I, TM,

(3 bands for FCC products)

3 Full Scenes with Shift-Along Track PAN & WIFS from LISS-III; AWIFS
from LISS-IV; OCM;

4 Quadrants LISS-III, TM, OCM

5 Geocoded Mapsheet based (15’x 15’) LISS-III, LISS-II, TM, MLA, PLA

6 Geocoded Floating (15’x 15’) LISS-III

7 Geocoded (7½’x7½’) mapsheet/floating LISS-III, LISS-IV

8 Full pass/strip data of one array PAN, OCM, MODIS

45
Concepts of Geospatial Spend Check Your Progress I
Data 5 mins
1) Define data products.
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2) From where will you procure the desire remote sensing data?
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3) On which factors do the types of remote sensing data products depend?
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4) Name the types of value added remote sensing data products.
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6.5 WHAT IS DATA FORMAT?

Remote sensing data or image data is a digital picture or representation of
various objects on the Earth’s surface. The picture is a systematic arrangement
of raster cells. Each of the raster cells, depending on the intensity of radiation
received, contains a digital number between a certain range, for example, 0-
127 (7 bit image) or 0-255 (8 bit image) and so on, depending upon
radiometric processing capacity of the detector system of the sensor. Each
number (of each cell) in an image file is a data file value, sometimes also
called pixel (abbreviation of picture element), and data file value is the
measured brightness value of the pixel at a specific wavelength.

Raster image data are laid out in a grid format similar to squares on a
checkerboard. These raster cells are assigned gray shades from darkest shade
for zero digital number to the brightest white shade for digital number 127 or
255 or 511 and so on, and comparative grades of dark and white shades are
assigned in between from digital numbers 1-126 or 1-254 or 1-510 and so on.
Image data format can be defined as the sequential arrangement of pixels,
representing a digital image in a computer compatible storage medium, such
as a compact disk (CDs/DVDs).

Superposition of any three bands of data, each of which is developed in blue,

green and red shades gives a color composite image of the area. That means,
remote sensing image data, stored in data files/image files on magnetic tapes,
compact disks (CDs/DVDs) or other media, consist only of digital numbers.
46
These representations of numbers form the B & W or color images when they Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
are displayed on a screen or output on a hard copy. Thus, the image has to be
retained in its digital form in order to carry computer processing/
classification. The digital output is supplied on a suitable computer compatible
storage media, such as DVDs, CD-ROMs, DAT, etc., depending on user
requests. The data may be arranged in band sequential (BSQ), band
interleaved by line (BIL) or band interleaved pixel (BIP) formats.

Similarly, the concept of image data format comes in, with the question of
how to arrange these pixels to achieve optimum level of desired processing
and display. Let us look at the following example, a data file in jpg format is a
compressed file in a small size, say 10MB; whereas, the same file in tiff
format is uncompressed and its size can go up to 100MB. What happens in
these two cases of files is the data transfer is easier with small size file, like a
jpg file than in tiff format.

6.5.1 Types of Data Formats

Basically, there are three types of data formats:
• Band Interleaved by Pixel (BIP),
• Band Interleaved by Line (BIL), and
• Band Sequential (BSQ)
Band Interleaved by Pixel (BIP)
Data storage sequence in BIP format is shown in Fig. 6.4, for an image of size
3×3 (i.e. 3 rows and 3 columns) having three bands. Band, row and column
(pixel) are generally represented as B, R and P, respectively. B1, R1 and P1,
respectively represent band 1, row 1 and column (pixel)1. In this format, first
pixel of row 1 of band 1 is stored first then the first pixel of row 1 of band 2
and then the first pixel of row 1 of band 3. These are followed by the second
pixel of row 1 of band 1, and then second pixel of row 1 of band 2 and then
second pixel of row 1 of band 3 and likewise.

Fig. 6.4: The data storage sequence in BIP format

47
Concepts of Geospatial Band Interleaved by Line (BIL)
Data
Data storage sequence in BIL format is shown here in Fig. 6.5 for a three band
image of size 3x3 (i.e. 3 rows and 3 columns). B and R represent band and
row. B1 and R1 represent band 1 and row 1. In this format, all the pixels of
row 1 of band 1 are stored in sequence first, then all the pixels of row 1 of
band 2 and then the pixels of row 1 of band 3. These are followed by the all
the pixels of row 2 of band 1, and then all the pixels of row 1 of band 2 and
then all the pixels of row 1 of band 3 and likewise. You should note that both
the BIP and BIL format store data/pixels in a line (row) at a time.

Fig. 6.5: Data storage sequence in BIL format

Band Sequential (BSQ)

BSQ format stores each band of data as a separate file. Arrangement sequence
of data in each file is shown in Fig. 6.6 for a three band image of size 3×3 (i.e.
3 rows and 3 columns). B and R, respectively represent band and row. B1 and
R1 represent band 1 and row 1, respectively. In this format, all the pixels of
band 1 are stored in sequence first, followed by all the pixels of band 2 and
then the pixels of band 3.

Fig. 6.6: Data storage sequence in BSQ format

48
For color image output, BSQ format is considered as convenient because three Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
bands are assigned to R (red), G (green) and B (blue). However, BIP format is
considered better for classification because multi-band data are required pixel You will read about
by pixel for processing. BIL is considered as a compromise between BSQ and concept of generation of
BIP. false color and true color
images in Unit 10
Keeping to these three basic data formats, a number of other formats, like tiff, Characteristics of
geotiff, png, adrg, super structured, jfif, jpeg, etc., are developed by different Digitally Remotely Sensed
organisations. Most of the image processing software for remote sensing data Images of MGY-002
processing support these file formats. You can see the list of data file formats Remote Sensing and
supported by the image processing software in the software’s documentation Image Interpretation.
manual. If a software does not have a certain data format in its list then that
file cannot be opened and used in that particular software.

6.5.2 Standards of Data Formats

There are certain standards when the data are supplied as softcopy in digital
form. Digital products are commonly supplied in the following formats:
• LGSOWG (Landsat Ground Station Operators Working Group) or Super
Structured Format
• Fast Format
• GeoTIFF (Geographic Tagged Image File Format)
• HDF (Hierarchical Data Format)
LGSOWG or Superstructure Format
This format has been developed by Landsat Ground Station Operators
Working Group, and is considered as standard. This extensive format is
suitable for Level-0 (raw data with no correction applied) and Level-2 (GEO
i.e., both radiometric and geometric corrections applied) products. This format
is also known as Super Structured Format or World Standard Format, or
LTWG format (as specified by Landsat Technical Working Group). It is a
consistent collection of one or more files recorded consecutively. All logical
volumes have a volume directory as the first file and null volume directory as
the last file. The layout of the superstructure format both in BSQ and BIL is
shown in Fig. 6.7, respectively.

When the digital data are provided in this format in a CD-ROM or DVD, the
data contain following five files:
a) volume directory file
b) leader file
c) image file
d) trailer file
e) null volume directory file
a) Volume directory file is the first file of the media containing the data
product. It contains information on file format record length, number of
records, etc. This gives information about all subsequent files present in
the medium, viz. number of bands, arrangement of bands, total number
of files, information about processing station, software version used to
process, etc. 49
Concepts of Geospatial b) Leader file is composed of a file descriptor record and three types of data
Data
record types i.e., header, ancillary and annotation. Header contains
information (such as about mission, sensor, processing parameters, etc.
Ancillary information consists about information related to ephemeris,
attitude, calibration, histogram, map projection and ground control points
(GCP’s), for image geometric correction, radiometric calibration data,
etc.
Volume directory file Volume directory file

File descriptor record File descriptor record

Leader file Leader file

File descriptor record File descriptor record

Image data file B2
Image data file

File descriptor record Line of B2

Line of B3
Image data file B3 Line of B4
.......................
.......................
File descriptor record Line M of B2
Line M of B3
Image data file B4
Line M of B4

File descriptor record

File descriptor record
Trailer record
Trailer record

Null volume Null volume

directory file directory file
(a) (b)

Fig. 6.7: Physical layout of three band image data (e.g. IRS-1C/1D LISS-3 B2, B3, B4) in
(a) super structure BSQ; (b) Super structure in BIL format. File desc rec refers
to File descriptor record (source: Joseph, 2005)

c) Image file contains the actual raw or processed data as requested by the
user. It consists of file descriptor records giving information regarding
band number, bite per pixel, etc. and image data records. Image data
record contains the video data in band interleaved by line (BIL) format or
band sequential format (BSQ).
d) Trailer file provides information about the mode of reading the file and
contains information about cloud coverage, etc. This file follows the
image data file.
e) Null volume directory file marks the end of logical volume. It is referred
to as ‘null’ because it defines a non-existent (empty) logical volume. File
contains a volume descriptor record.
The data procurer obtains the necessary information from the different files as
required by the remote sensing data processing software to read the data and to
convert it into an image.

Fast Format
Fast format is a comprehensive digital data format that is suitable for Level-2
data products. The physical layout of fast format is shown in Fig. 6.8. In this
50
format, instead of many numbers of files as in the LSGOWG or super Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
structured format, only two files are provided in CD-ROM or DVD. The files
provided in this format are as follows:
a) Header file
b) Image file(s)
a) Header file is the first file on each volume, a Read-Me-First file,
contains header data. It is in American Standard Code for Information
Interchange (ASCII) format. The first record is the Administrative Record
which contains information that identifies the product. The second record
is the Radiometric Record, which contains the coefficients needed to
convert the scene digital values. The third record is the Geometric Record
which contains the scene geographic location (e.g., latitude, longitude,
etc) information.
b) Image files are written into CDROM, DAT or DISK in Band Sequential
(BSQ) order i.e., each image file contains one band of image file.
As in the LSGOWG or super structured format, this format also requires the
user to instruct the remote sensing data processing software to read the data
and to convert it into an image.

Fig. 6.8: Fast format physical layout (source: Joseph, 2005)

GeoTiff Format
Presently, there are various data formats (e.g. PGM, GIF, BMP, and TIFF, etc.)
used for storage of raster image data, but they have limitations in cartographic
applications. GeoTIFF is based on the original TIFF (Tagged Image File
Format) format, with additional geographic information. This format does not
require the user to convert the contents of the CD-ROM or DVD into an
image data. In this format remote sensing data is provided in the form of an
image itself. The digital image data has the *.tiff extension. Users can directly
start their image processing and analysis steps. IRS-1C/1D data products are
supplied in GeoTIFF format in CDROM. The details of GeoTIFF format can
be obtained from www.mipl.jpl.nasa.gov/cartlab/geotiff.

Hierarchical Data Format (HDF)

HDF is a data file format designed by the National Center for Supercomputing
Applications (NCSA) of USA to assist users in the storage and manipulation
of scientific data across diverse operating systems and machines. HDF
supports a variety of data types i.e. scientific data arrays, tables, and text
annotations, as well as several types of raster images and their associated color
palettes. There are two distinct varieties of HDF, known as HDF (version 4
51
Concepts of Geospatial and earlier) and the newer HDF5. HDF files are also self-describing. The self-
Data
describing capability of HDF files has important implications for processing
scientific data. A program that has been written to interpret certain tag types
can scan a file containing those tag types and process the corresponding data.
Self-description also means that many types of data can be bundled in an HDF
file. For example, it is possible to accommodate symbolic, numerical, and
graphical data in one HDF file.

Spend Check Your Progress II

5 mins
1) Define data format.
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2) What are the three basic formats for remote sensing data?
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3) What is null volume directory?
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6.6 PRODUCT CODE

In view of the large number of remote sensing data products, NRSC has
prepared a unique product code in short form that fully describes and takes
care of all the specifications of a desired product. If this code is mentioned in
the order/indent form, it is easy for NRSC to supply the correct/desired data.
The product code has nine characters. Table 6.2 shows details about the
product types and codes.
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 Table 6.2: The product types and product codes Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
Product Type (First two characters)
ST Standard Product
QU Quadrant Product
G3 Geocoded product (15’x15’ of SOI map sheet)
G4 Geocoded product(7 ½’x7 ½’ of SOI mapsheet)
SR Stereo pair product
TR Shift-Along Track product
J1 Geocoded product (1 deg.x1deg. without SOI reference)
J3 Geocoded product (15’x15’ without SOI reference)
J4 Geocoded product (7 ½’x7 ½’ without SOI reference)
MO Full strip/full path
Projection Applied (Third character) Data supported include
EV Everest
W4 WGS -84
Resampling used (Fourth character)
0 No sampling done
C Cubic convolution
N Nearest neighbour
Enhancement (Fifth and sixth character)
00 Enhancement (mostly applicable for digital)
01 Histogram Look Table (Scene based enhancement)
YE Yellow substance (RS-P4 OCM only)
CL Chlorophyll map (IRS-P4 OCM only)
SE Sediment map (IRS-P4 OCM only)
Format (Eighth character)
5 False color composite paper print
6 Digital data on LGSOWG/Super Structured, Band interleaved (BIL)
7 Digital data on LGSOWG/Super Structured format, Band Sequential (BSQ)
B Fast format
T GeoTIFF (grey)
R GeoTIFF (RGB)
H HDF
Size capacity (Ninth character)
5 1000 mm (only for photographic products)
J 650 MB CD-ROM
V DVD

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Concepts of Geospatial Levels of processing (Seventh character): Depending on the accuracy of the
Data
data products, they are categorised under different levels of processing and
these levels of processing vary from country to country (Table 6.3).
Table 6.3: Level of Processing
0 Raw data
1 Radiometrically corrected data
2 Standard product
6 DEM (external)
P Precision
G Georeference
R Precision Georeference
O Ortho rectified (Stereo derived)
M Multi-sensor (P+SX)

The input raw data received at a ground station is converted into a certain
storage format (level 0). There are several remote sensing data processing
levels, which can have different names and nomenclature among remote
sensing operators. The standard products are generated after applying
radiometric and geometric corrections. The raw data recorded at the Earth’s
You will learn about the
source of these errors and station is corrected to various levels of processing at the Data Processing
their correction in Block 4 System (DPS). The most frequently used are the following levels of
Processing and preliminary data processing:
Classification of Remotely
Sensed Images of MGY- 0– raw (primary) data of the imaging equipment;
002 Remote Sensing and
1A – radiometrically corrected and calibrated data;
Image Interpretation
1B – radiometrically corrected and geo-located data;
2A – radiometrically and geometrically corrected data, represented in a map
projection;
The supply of data products to users, in response to their requests, is carried
out at the data processing and product generation and distribution centre. Data
processing and data product generation comprises transferring the raw data
from the medium on which the raw data is recorded to the computer for data
correction and formatting and finally to the required medium–photographic or
digital–and data product quality checking. The remote sensing data provided
to the users should closely represent the geometric and radiometric properties
of the ground scene. However, there exist a number of errors in the raw data
received at the ground station. These errors could be due to the sensor itself,
platform, intervening atmosphere and data transmission and reception system.
Therefore, the distorted image data has to be corrected for a more faithful
representation of the original scene. The data products are produced after
correction for geometric and radiometric errors (correction for atmospheric
effect is usually not carried). The errors can be broadly classified as systematic
and random errors. Systematic errors are those which are constant or can be
modelled so that they can be eliminated by suitable operation on the data (e.g.,
Earth rotation, panoramic distortion, etc.). Random errors are difficult to
eliminate totally e.g., detector, noise, jitter of spacecraft.

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The levels of processing are followed by products of a higher processing level, Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
when additional data is used to get such output products (ground control
points, DEM for ortho-correction, etc.), usually generated for further thematic
processing. Remote sensing products of higher than level 2A processing levels
are usually distributed in popular archive formats (e.g. GeoTIFF) because in
most cases they are georeferenced images and no more specific information
about satellite orbital parameters and attitude at the time of imaging is
required for their further use. The only requirement is that the format (Table
6.4) must contain raster georeference parameters (for example, in form of map
projection description). Lower processing level products are supposed to
contain (and in most cases it is secured) auxiliary information which is used
further to generate higher level products. Unfortunately, there are no general
formats to archive and distribute the lower processing level products, which
can be explained by the uniqueness of satellites, their imaging instruments,
imaging modes, etc. Probably, in future the remote sensing operators will
come to an agreement and offer unified formats to the users.
Table 6.4: Format and size capacity
Format (Eighth character)
5 False color composite paper print
6 Digital data on LGSOWG/Super Structured, Band interleaved (BIL)
7 Digital data on LGSOWG/Super Structured format, Band Sequential (BSQ)
B Fast format
T GeoTIFF (grey)
R GeoTIFF (RGB)
H HDF
Size capacity (Ninth character)
5 1000 mm (only for photographic products)
J 650 MB CD-ROM
V DVD

Here is an example of a product code: STOCYEMBV – Standard Product

(ST), with no Projection applied (O), Cubic Convolution resampling (C),
Yellow substance-IRS-P4 OCM only (YE), Multi-sensor Level of Processing-
post P+XS (M), Fast Format (B), size capacity DVD (V).

6.7 PLACING AN ORDER FOR A DATA PRODUCT

There are two ways to procure remote sensing data in India:
• by ordering online to various data providing agencies e.g. NRSC Data
Centre in India, and
• by sending indents (in specified format - available on website) through
post to NRSC Data Centre on the address given here:
NRSC Data Centre
National Remote Sensing Centre (ISRO)
Dept. of Space, Govt. of India
Balanagar, Hyderabad - 500 625
Andhra Pradesh, India 55
Concepts of Geospatial There are some organisations/agencies which provide specified remote sensing
Data
data for free. To procure data from these agencies, one has to register oneself
online. These registrations are completely free. Once one gets registered to
these agencies’ websites, it is easy to download after giving the required
specifications. Following are two such websites:
• http://glovis.usgs.gov, and
• http://glcf.umiacs.umd.edu/data.

6.8 ACTIVITY
1) Following is an example of data format in which a 3 band image data of
size 3×3 (i.e. 3 rows and 3 columns) are stored in the BIL format. How
would the image look like after you have converted it into an image?

Band 1 Band 2 Band 3

2) If the same data file is stored in BIP format in the above figure, how
would the image look like after you have converted it into an image?

Band 1 Band 2 Band 3

6.9 SUMMARY
• Remote sensing data are supplied to a variety and number of users for
various applications and information extraction, in the form of a ‘data
product’.
• The data products are made available to users of our country by the
National Data Center (NDC) of National Remote Sensing Center
(NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) located at
Hyderabad.
• Remote sensing image data, stored in data files/image files on magnetic
tapes, compact disks (CDs/DVDs) or other media, consists of only
digital numbers.
• All remote sensing data products carry a specific index number. Remote
sensing data products vary depending on the level of processing, output
media/scale, and area of coverage.
• There are certain standards when the data is supplied as softcopy in
digital form. Digital products are commonly supplied in the following
formats–LGSOWG, Fast Format, GeoTIFF and HDF. NRSC has
prepared a unique product code in a short form that fully describes and
56 takes care of all the specifications of a desired product.
• Image data format can be defined as the sequential arrangement of pixels, Remote Sensing Data
Products and Formats
representing a digital image in a computer compatible storage medium
such as a compact disk (CDs/DVDs).
• Basically there are three types of data formats – Band Interleaved by
Pixel (BIP), Band Interleaved by Line (BIL), and Band Sequential
(BSQ).
• There are two ways to procure remote sensing data- by ordering online or
by sending indents through post to NRSC Data Centre.
Spend
6.10 UNIT END QUESTIONS 30 mins

1) What do you understand by remote sensing data products?

2) Discuss in brief the method of assigning product code to remote sensing
data.
3) What are various remote sensing data formats?
4) How can you obtain desired remote sensing data?

6.11 REFERENCES
• Joseph, G. (2005), Fundamentals of Remote Sensing. 2nd Ed., University
Press, 488p.
• http://kompeni.net/category/pdf-file.
The above websites were accessed between 15 and 25 June 2011.

6.12 FURTHER/SUGGESTED READING

• Campbell, J. B. (2002), Introduction to remote sensing, 3rd Ed. The
Guilford Press, New York. 620 p.
• Jensen, J. R. (2005), Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing
Perspective, 3rd Ed. Prentice Hall, 526 p.
• www.cnr.berkeley.edu/~gong/textbook.

6.13 ANSWERS
Check Your Progress I
1) Data Products are: data from various sensors in a suitable and standard
format, which can be readily used by user.
2) Remote sensing data can be procured by ordering from NDC, NRSC
(ISRO) Hyderabad or from some other websites.
3) Types of remote sensing data product depend upon three factors namely
level of processing, output media/scale and area of coverage.
4) Value added products are basically of four types viz.
• Geocoded products
• Merged products, and
• Ortho products
• Template registered products
57
Concepts of Geospatial Check Your Progress II
Data
1) Data format can be defined as the sequential arrangement of pixels,
representing a digital image in a computer compatible storage medium
such as CDs, DVDs, etc.
2) Types of Data Formats: there are three types of data formats namely, BIP,
BIL and BSQ.
3) Null volume directory file marks the end of logical volume. It is referred
to as ‘null’ because it defines a non-existent (empty) logical volume. File
contains a volume descriptor record.
Unit End Questions
1) Your answer should include points covered in sections 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4.
2) You should discuss important points discussed in Tables 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4.
3) You should discuss three basic types of data formats–BIP, BIL and BSQ,
along with certain standards ones where the data are supplied as softcopy
in digital form i.e. LGSOWG, Fast Format, GeoTIFF, HDF.
4) Refer to section 6.7.

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