Electro-Optical Processing of DAPP Meteorological Satellite Data

Abstract

Experience with the operational application of the U.S. Air Force Weather Service's Data Acquisition and Processing Program (DAPP) has shown that satellite imagery requires many different processing and enhancement techniques in order to be fully utilized. Modern imaging scanners provide more information than can be adequately revealed with conventional ?cloud pictures?; the value of imagery can be greatly increased by enhancement modes directed toward specific applications. Although complete utilization demands computer processing, much of the information content can be made available to the meteorological analyst by application of electro-optical enhancement techniques. This paper illustrates some of those electro-optical enhancement techniques, both for those who may wish to better understand DAPP and for those who wish to adapt these enhancement techniques to their own applications.