spectralmatch 1.0.0

Global and local spectral matching of 2 or more overlapping rasters

spectralmatch: Performant Relative Radiometric Normalization toolkit with Pseudo-Invariant Features, seamlines, and other utilities for mosaics and time series

[!IMPORTANT] This library is experimental and still under heavy development.

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Overview

spectralmatch provides a Python library, command line interface, and QGIS plugin with multiple algorythms to perform Relative Radiometric Normalization (RRN). It also includes utilities for generating seamlines, cloud masks, Pseudo-Invariant Features, statistics, preprocessing, and more.

Features

• Automated, Efficient, and Scalable: Designed for large-scale workflows with no manual steps, leveraging multiprocessing and Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF support for fast, efficient processing across images, windows, and bands.

• Resumable Processing: Save image stats and block maps for quicker reprocessing.

• Integrated Seamline and Cloud Masking: Generate seamlines and detect clouds within the same workflow.

• Specify Model Images Include all or specified images in the matching solution to bring all images to a central tendency or selected images spectral profile.

• Consistent Multi-image Analysis: Performs minimal necessary adjustments to achieve inter-image consistency while preserving the original spectral characteristics.

• Sensor and Unit Agnostic: Supports optical imagery from handheld cameras, drones, crewed aircraft, and satellites for reliable single sensor and multi-sensor analysis, while preserving spectral integrity across all pixel units—including negative values and reflectance.

• Enhanced Imagery: Helpful when performing mosaics and time series analysis by blending large image collections and normalizing them over time, providing consistent, high-quality data for machine learning and other analytical tasks.

• Open Source and Collaborative: Free under the MIT License with a modular design that supports community contributions and easy development of new features and workflows. Accessible through a python library, command line interface, and QGIS plugin.

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Current Matching Algorithms

Global to local matching

This technique is derived from 'An auto-adapting global-to-local color balancing method for optical imagery mosaic' by Yu et al., 2017 (DOI: 10.1016/j.isprsjprs.2017.08.002). It is particularly useful for very high-resolution imagery (satellite or otherwise) and works in a two phase process. First, this method applies least squares regression to estimate scale and offset parameters that align the histograms of all images toward a shared spectral center. This is achieved by constructing a global model based on the overlapping areas of adjacent images, where the spectral relationships are defined. This global model ensures that each image conforms to a consistent radiometric baseline while preserving overall color fidelity. However, global correction alone cannot capture intra-image variability so a second local adjustment phase is performed. The overlap areas are divided into smaller blocks, and each block’s mean is used to fine-tune the color correction. This block-wise tuning helps maintain local contrast and reduces visible seams, resulting in seamless and spectrally consistent mosaics with minimal distortion.

Shows the average spectral profile of two WorldView 3 images before and after global to local matching.

Assumptions

• Consistent Spectral Profile: The true spectral response of overlapping areas remains the same throughout the images.

• Least Squares Modeling: A least squares approach can effectively model and fit all images' spectral profiles.

• Scale and Offset Adjustment: Applying scale and offset corrections can effectively harmonize images.

• Minimized Color Differences: The best color correction is achieved when color differences are minimized.

• Geometric Alignment: Images are assumed to be geometrically aligned with known relative positions via a geotransform. However, they only need to be roughly aligned as pixel co-registration is not required.

• Global Consistency: Overlapping color differences are consistent across the entire image.

• Local Adjustments: Block-level color differences result from the global application of adjustments.

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Quick Installation (Other methods)

Installation as a QGIS Plugin

Install the spectralmatch plugin in QGIS and use it in the Processing Toolbox.

Installation as a Python Library and CLI

Before installing, ensure you have the following system-level prerequisites: Python ≥ 3.10, pip, PROJ ≥ 9.3, and GDAL = 3.10.2. Use this command to install the library:

pip install spectralmatch

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Documentation

Documentation is available at spectralmatch.github.io/spectralmatch/.

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Contributing Guide

Contributing Guide is available at spectralmatch.github.io/spectralmatch/contributing.

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License

This project is licensed under the MIT License. See LICENSE for details.