IRMAD tutorial

This service provides a binary change detection map from calibrated products of the same optical or radar sensor, using the Iteratively Reweighted Multivariate Alteration Detector (IRMAD) algorithm.

IRMAD service description and specifications are available in this section.

Select the processing service

After the opening of the activation workspace, in the right panel of the interface, open the Processing Services tab. Select the processing service IRMAD Change Detection (IRMAD).

The "IRMAD Change Detection (IRMAD)" panel is displayed with parameters values to be filled-in.

Use case 1: evaluate changes in multispectral assets due to wildfire from pre- and post-event optical calibrated datasets

Abstract

This first use case explains how to derive a IRMAD change mask over a burnt area from a stack of co-located pre- and post-event multispectral reflectance assets.

Find the data using multiple filter criterias

Select the area for which you want to do an analysis, e.g over California, US.

From the Navigation and Search toolbar (located in the upper left side of the map), click on Spatial Filter and draw a square AOI over Lassen and Butte counties in California, US. This spatial filter allows you to select only the EO data acquired over this area.

Tip

Use the Geocoding control to find some places on the map (e.g. Butte County, California, US). Inserted text could be a country, city name, street, mountain, river, etc.

From the top of the left panel, use Filter Criterias to search for “Optical” and "Sentinel-2" data collections from the list.

After the query the list will be updates as the one shown in the next image.

Now it is possible to choose a pair of pre- and post-event reflectance images from Optical Calibrated Datasets to be used for the change vector analysis. As an example you can choose the following pair:

Pre-event [CD]: SENTINEL-2B MSI L1C 113 2021/07/13 18:49:19
Post-event [CD]: SENTINEL-2B MSI L1C 113 2021/09/01 18:49:19

Fill the paramters

After the definition of spatial and time filters, you can employ IRMAD, by using a suitable pair of Calibrated Datasets from Sentinel-2 data.

To do so you can fill the parameters as described in the following sections.

Job name

Insert as job name:

IRMAD RGBNIR Dixie Fire 2021 US

Input pair of calibrated datasets

Drag and Drop the selected items:

Pre-event Calibrated Dataset
Post-event Calibrated Dataset

in the Pre-event calibrated product reference and the Post-event calibrated product reference fields respectively.

List of comma-separated assets

Insert the list of single-band assets to be extracted from the given pair of calibrated datasets in the "List(s) of comma-separated band(s)” field. In this parmaeter the user must manually insert a list assets given as of comma-separated list og common band names.

To employ IRMAD using red, green, blue and nir single-band assets from two calibrated datasets the following list must be inserted:

red,green,blue,nir

and the service automatically extract from both pre- and post-event input calibrated datasets the pair of single-band assets for each specified CBN.

Warning

This list must include more than one CBN. Therefore, IRMAD requires at least 2 assets from pre- and post-event datasets.

Warning

Use comma-separated CBN and avoid spaces between assets.

Note

All CBNs available in the ESA Charter Mapper can be found here.

Warning

Both the input calibrated product references must include the single-band assets specified in the list.

Area of interest expressed as Well-known text

In this parameter the user must define the “Area of interest as Well Known Text”. The AOI can be defined by using the drawn polygon defined with the area filter.

Tip

In the definition of “Area of interest as Well Known Text” it is possible to apply as AOI the drawn polygon defined with the area filter. To do so, click on the button in the left side of the "Area of interest expressed as Well-known text" box and select the option AOI from the list. The platform will automatically fill the parameter value with the rectangular bounding box taken the from current search area in WKT format.

Maximum number of iterations in the canonical correlation

In the last parameter the user must shall define the maximum number of iterations in the canonical correlation of IRMAD. Set as an example a nmuber of iterations equal to 30 (default value).

Note

If the number of iterations in the canonical correlation is set to 1, IRMAD becomes MAD.

Run the job

Click on the button Run Job and see the Running Job. You can monitor job progress through the progress bar.

Results: download and visualization

Once the job is completed, click on the button Show results at the bottom of the processing service panel.

Tip

You can also save the parameters employed in this job by clicking on the Export params button in the right panel. This allows you to copy all your entries to the clipboard. This is meant to be used for a quick re-submission of a similar job after a fine tuning of the parameters (e.g. to add a color formula later).

Below is reported the syntax which includes all the parameters employed in this example.

{
   "pre_event": "https://catalog.disasterscharter.org//charter/cat/[chartercalibrateddataset,!excluded,{callid932}]/search?format=json&uid=call932_S2B_MSIL1C_20210713T184919_N0301_R113_T10TFK_20210713T205848-calibrated",
   "post_event": "https://catalog.disasterscharter.org//charter/cat/[chartercalibrateddataset,!excluded,{callid932}]/search?format=json&uid=call932_S2B_MSIL1C_20210901T184919_N0301_R113_T10TFK_20210901T210126-calibrated",
   "bands": "red,green,blue,nir",
   "aoi": "POLYGON((-121.429 39.996,-121.429 40.376,-120.957 40.376,-120.957 39.996,-121.429 39.996))",
   "max_iterations": "30"
}

Visualization

See the result on the map. The preview appears within the area defined in the spatial filter.

To get more information about the product just click on the preview in the map, a bubble showing the name of the layer "IRMAD Change Mask from S2B_MSIL1C_20210713T184919_N0301_R113_T10TFK_20210713T205848-calibrated and S2B_MSIL1C_20210901T184919_N0301_R113_T10TFK_20210901T210126-calibrated” will appear and then click on the Show details button.

Tip

To quickly access Product Details double click on the layer from the Results list.

In the left panel of the interface, the details of Job Result will appear with Product metadata. Furthermore by clicking on Layer styling you can also access to the View options. Under Select Asset it is possible to select each asset and visualize it on the map.

Furthermore by clicking on Layer styling you can also access to the View options. In here it is possible to see histogram/s of the Product which is visible in the map, set color formula, change Filters (e.g. Brightness, Opacity).

Tip

To visually compare the product overview with the underlying base layer (e.g. Natural Earth or Dark map) you can set the Opacity filter under View options as 40%.

Download

In this use case the IRMAD Change Detection (IRMAD) service produces the following files:

1.red: single-band geophysical asset red product from pre-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
1.green: single-band geophysical asset green product from pre-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
1.blue: single-band geophysical asset blue product from pre-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
1.nir: single-band geophysical asset nir product from pre-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
2.red: single-band geophysical asset red product from post-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
2.green: single-band geophysical asset green product from post-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
2.blue: single-band geophysical asset blue product from post-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
2.nir: single-band geophysical asset nir product from post-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
irmad_change_detection: single-band change detection binary mask product from IRMAD as single band GeoTIFF in COG format.

These products can be downloaded by clicking on the Download button located at the bottom of the Product Details tab in the left panel.

Note

The change detection mask derived from IRMAD depends on the type and number of CBNs employed. Below are shown example obtained with the same EO data by using different combination of CBNs.

IRMAD change detection mask with red, green, and blue TOA reflectance assets

IRMAD change detection mask with red, green, blue, and nir TOA reflectance assets

IRMAD change detection mask with nir, and swir16 TOA reflectance assets

Use case 2: evaluate changes in backscatter assets due to flood from pre- and post-event radar calibrated datasets

Abstract

This first use case explains how to derive a IRMAD change mask over a flooded area from a stack of co-located pre- and post-event dual-pol sigma nought assets.

Find the data using multiple filter criterias

Select the area for which you want to do an analysis, e.g over state, Nigeria.

From the Navigation and Search toolbar, click on Spatial Filter and draw a square AOI over the Benue river in Nigeria. This spatial filter allows you to select only the EO data acquired over this area.

From the top of the left panel, use Filter Criterias to search for “Radar” and "Sentinel-1" data collections from the list. Now it is possible to choose a pair of pre- and post-event reflectance images from Radar Calibrated Datasets to be used for the change vector analysis. As an example you can choose the following pair:

Pre-event [CD]: SENTINEL-1A GRD IW VV/VH 132 2022-08-21 17:37:53
Post-event [CD]: SENTINEL-1A GRD IW VV/VH 132 2022-09-26 17:37:54

Fill the paramters

After the definition of spatial and time filters, you can employ IRMAD, by using a suitable pair of Calibrated Datasets from Sentinel-1 data.

To do so you can fill the parameters as described in the following sections.

Job name

Insert as job name:

IRMAD S1 VV-VH 2022 Benue river Sep 2022 Flood in Nigeria

Input pair of calibrated datasets

Drag and Drop the selected items:

Pre-event Calibrated Dataset
Post-event Calibrated Dataset

in the Pre-event calibrated product reference and the Post-event calibrated product reference fields respectively.

List of comma-separated assets

Insert the list of single-band assets to be extracted from the given pair of calibrated datasets in the "List(s) of comma-separated band(s)” field. In this parmaeter the user must manually insert a list assets given as of comma-separated list og common band names.

To employ IRMAD using s0_db_c_vv, and s0_db_c_vh single-band assets from two calibrated datasets the following list must be inserted:

s0_db_c_vv,s0_db_c_vh

and the service automatically extract from both pre- and post-event input calibrated datasets the pair of single-band assets for each specified CBN.

Warning

This list must include more than one CBN. Therefore, IRMAD requires at least 2 assets from pre- and post-event datasets.

Warning

Use comma-separated CBN and avoid spaces between assets.

Note

All CBNs available in the ESA Charter Mapper can be found here.

Warning

Both the input calibrated product references must include the single-band assets specified in the list.

Area of interest expressed as Well-known text

In this parameter the user must define the “Area of interest as Well Known Text”. The AOI can be defined by using the drawn polygon defined with the area filter.

Tip

In the definition of “Area of interest as Well Known Text” it is possible to apply as AOI the drawn polygon defined with the area filter. To do so, click on the button in the left side of the "Area of interest expressed as Well-known text" box and select the option AOI from the list. The platform will automatically fill the parameter value with the rectangular bounding box taken the from current search area in WKT format.

Maximum number of iterations in the canonical correlation

In the last parameter the user must shall define the maximum number of iterations in the canonical correlation of IRMAD. Set as an example a nmuber of iterations equal to 30 (default value).

Note

If the number of iterations in the canonical correlation is set to 1, IRMAD becomes MAD.

Run the job

Click on the button Run Job and see the Running Job. You can monitor job progress through the progress bar.

Results: download and visualization

Once the job is completed, click on the button Show results at the bottom of the processing service panel.

Tip

You can also save the parameters employed in this job by clicking on the Export params button in the right panel. This allows you to copy all your entries to the clipboard. This is meant to be used for a quick re-submission of a similar job after a fine tuning of the parameters (e.g. to add a color formula later).

Below is reported the syntax which includes all the parameters employed in this example.

{
   "pre_event": "https://catalog.disasterscharter.org//charter/cat/[chartercalibrateddataset,!excluded,{callid932}]/search?format=json&uid=call932_S1A_IW_GRDH_1SDV_20220821T173753_20220821T173818_044654_0554AF_7A67-calibrated",
   "post_event": "https://catalog.disasterscharter.org//charter/cat/[chartercalibrateddataset,!excluded,{callid932}]/search?format=json&uid=call932_S1A_IW_GRDH_1SDV_20220926T173754_20220926T173819_045179_05665D_A9D3-calibrated",
   "bands": "s0_db_c_vv,s0_db_c_vh",
   "aoi": "POLYGON((9.621 8.103,9.621 8.624,10.223 8.624,10.223 8.103,9.621 8.103))",
   "max_iterations": "30"
}

Visualization

See the result on the map. The preview appears within the area defined in the spatial filter.

To get more information about the product just click on the preview in the map, a bubble showing the name of the layer “IRMAD Change Mask from S1A_IW_GRDH_1SDV_20220821T173753_20220821T173818_044654_0554AF_7A67-calibrated and S1A_IW_GRDH_1SDV_20220926T173754_20220926T173819_045179_05665D_A9D3-calibrated” will appear and then click on the Show details button.

In the left panel of the interface, the details of Job Result will appear with Product metadata. Furthermore by clicking on Layer styling you can also access to the View options. Under Select Asset it is possible to select each asset and visualize it on the map.

Furthermore by clicking on Layer styling you can also access to the View options. In here it is possible to see histogram/s of the Product which is visible in the map, set color formula, change Filters (e.g. Brightness, Opacity).

In the left panel under the result Details is possible to make RGB composites on the fly using the physical single band assets generated by the service. To do so click on Combine Assets and specify the assets in the RGB channels (e.g. R=1.s0_db_c_vv, G=B=2.s0_db_c_vv).

Warning

When combining geophysical single-band assets under Combine assets please consider the valid range associated with the specific asset. As an example consider [0,1] for coherence and [-20,0] for Sigma Nought in dB for co-pol assets in C band. Valid ranges for all geophysical single-band products can be found here. Min and Max values shall be inserted manually in the Channel histogram min/max boxes.

Tip

To visually compare the product overview with the underlying base layer (e.g. Natural Earth or Dark map) you can set the Opacity filter under View options as 40%.

Download

In this use case the IRMAD Change Detection (IRMAD) service produces the following files:

1.s0_db_c_vv: single-band geophysical asset s0_db_c_vv product from pre-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
1.s0_db_c_vh: single-band geophysical asset s0_db_c_vh product from pre-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
2.s0_db_c_vv: single-band geophysical asset s0_db_c_vv product from post-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
2.s0_db_c_vh: single-band geophysical asset s0_db_c_vh product from post-event calibrated dataset as single band GeoTIFF in COG format,
irmad_change_detection: single-band change detection binary mask product from IRMAD as single band GeoTIFF in COG format.

These products can be downloaded by clicking on the Download button located at the bottom of the Product Details tab in the left panel.