PolSAR Image Classification Based on Deep Convolutional Neural Networks Using Wavelet Transformation

Abstract

Shallow convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have successfully been used to classify polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR) imagery. However, one drawback of the existing deep CNN-based techniques is that the input PolSAR training data are often insufficient due to their need for a significant number of training data compared to shallow CNN models utilized in PolSAR image classification. In this paper, we propose using Haar wavelet transform in deep CNNs for effective feature extraction to improve the classification accuracy of PolSAR imagery. Based on the results, the proposed deep CNN model obtained better average accuracy in the San Francisco region with an accuracy of 93.3% and produced more homogeneous classification maps with less noise compared to the two much shallower CNN models of AlexNet (87.8%) and a 2D CNN network (91%). The proposed algorithm is efficient and may be applied over large areas to support regional wetland mapping and monitoring activities using PolSAR imagery. The codes are available at (https://github.com/aj1365/DeepCNN_Polsar).