Algorithms using interband cross correlation for pixel registration and jitter reconstruction in multichannel push broom imagers

We present two algorithms for determining sensor motion of a multi- spectral push-broom imager for use in subsequent image registration. The first algorithm, termed the 'pairwise' method, performs cross-correlations between individual pairs of channels. The offsets of maximum correlation are formulated into a system of linear equations whose solution gives an estimate of the jitter function. The second algorithm performs cross-correlations between channels and a reference image called the 'baseline' which is constructed by averaging together all the channels in the image cube. An estimated jitter time series is computed for each channel, all of which are overlapped and averaged to obtain a best estimate of the jitter function. The pairwise method is more general in that it can handle a wider range of jitter scenarios. The baseline method, although more restricted, is very simple to implement, and its accuracy can be improved substantially through iteration. In this paper, we describe both methods in detail and present results of simulations performed on thermal-infrared data cubes.