A support vector machine classifier based on a new kernel function model for hyperspectral data

Abstract

The kernel function is a key factor to determine the performance of a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Choosing and constructing appropriate kernel function models has been a hot topic in SVM studies. But so far, its implementation can only rely on the experience and the specific sample characteristics without a unified pattern. Thus, this article explored the related theories and research findings of kernel functions, analyzed the classification characteristics of EO-1 Hyperion hyperspectral imagery, and combined a polynomial kernel function with a radial basis kernel function to form a new kernel function model (PRBF). Then, a hyperspectral remote sensing imagery classifier was constructed based on the PRBF model, and a genetic algorithm (GA) was used to optimize the SVM parameters. On the basis of theoretical analysis, this article completed object classification experiments on the Hyperion hyperspectral imagery of experimental areas and verified the high classification accuracy of the model. The experimental results show that the effect of hyperspectral image classification based on this PRBF model is apparently better than the model established by a single global or local kernel function and thus can greatly improve the accuracy of object identification and classification. The highest overall classification accuracy and kappa coefficient reached 93.246% and 0.907, respectively, in all experiments.