Linear mixing and the estimation of ground cover proportions

Abstract

In this paper we consider how we may determine the relative proportions of ground cover components in a mixed pixel. We assume the usual linear model for signal mixing and examine a number of methods, closely related, for estimating the proportions. We also show how the precision of our estimates can be defined. We introduce a new estimator which is based on regularisation principles and which produces a smoother set of images than other methods, and gives more accurate estimates. The methods are compared on a simulated data set.