System and method for anomaly detection from hyperspectral data

Abstract

Described is a system for anomaly detection from hyperspectral data. The system receives, from a hyperspectral sensor, input hyperspectral data cubes with input data bands for every pixel. Using an optimization technique, an optimized number of virtual bands is determined to use for combining the hyperspectral data cubes to achieve optimal anomaly detection performance. The optimized number of virtual bands is less than the input data bands, resulting in reduced hyperspectral data. The hyperspectral data cubes are combined into the optimized number of virtual bands with the optimal bandwidth for each virtual band, and a set of combined hyperspectral data is output. Anomalies are detected in the set of combined hyperspectral data using an anomaly detection technique. Based on the detected anomalies, single-pixel or subpixel targets of interest are detected in the combined hyperspectral data.