SVM‐based segmentation and classification of remotely sensed data

Abstract

Support Vector Machines (SVM) is becoming a popular alternative to traditional image classification methods because it makes possible accurate classification from small training samples. Nevertheless, concerns regarding SVM parameterization and computational effort have arisen. This Letter is an evaluation of an automated SVM‐based method for image classification. The method is applied to a land‐cover classification experiment using a hyperspectral dataset. The results suggest that SVM can be parameterized to obtain accurate results while being computationally efficient. However, automation of parameter tuning does not solve all SVM problems. Interestingly, the method produces fuzzy image‐regions whose contextual properties may be potentially useful for improving the image classification process.

Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to Dr David A. Landgrebe (Purdue University, USA) for providing the DC Mall dataset. Special thanks are due to Dr Timothy Warner and two anonymous referees for their comments and suggestions for improving the quality of this Letter. The work reported here is supported by a Birkbeck International Research Studentship.