Bilko is an open source remote sensing software developed in 1987 that can be used to classify, filter, and analyze remote sensing imagery. It supports common file formats like GeoTIFF and comes with tutorials, lessons, and modules. While it cannot perform digital elevation modeling or support vector data, Bilko is freely available online and provides a cost-effective way to introduce users to remote sensing techniques. Potential applications include educational uses in Connecticut to inspire future workforces.

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Open Source Remote Sensing
with BILKO
Jeffrey Dunn
jeffrey.dunn@uconn.edu
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu

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UNESCO - Bilko
• What:
– It is
– It can do
– It cannot do
– It comes with
• How do you get it?
• Potential Uses
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu

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What is it?
– First developed in 1987
• 4 Guiding Principles
– Run on low cost computers
– Supported by lessons and image data
– Software, lessons, and example data will be free
– Students, teachers and users encouraged to enhance
Bilko
– Hosted by UK’s National Oceanography
Center.
• Supported by United Nations Educational Scientific
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu

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What Can it Do?
• Classification • Supports
– Supervised – GeoTIFF
– Unsupervised – IMG
• PCA – HDF
• Georectify – Binary
• BSQ, BIL, BIP
– Ground Control Points
– GIF, PCX, BMP
• Masks
– USGS Mapgen
• Filters
• Numerical formats
• Transects
– 8 bit
• Histograms – 16 bit (signed/unsigned)
• Scatter-plots – 32 bit integer
• Hovmoller diagrams (signed/unsigned)
• Animations – 32 bit floating point
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Filters
Majority
Mean
Median
Laplace
Roberts
Sobel
Frost
Lee
Variance
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Transects
•Line
•Right Click
•New
•Transect Document
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Image
Classification
•Unsupervised
•Supervised
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What it Cannot Do
• Bilko does not have a Digital Elevation
Module
– Geometric correction of land data can be
inaccurate
• Bilko does not support vector data
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu

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What does Bilko come with?
• Tutorials
– How do use the software.
– Common image processing methods.
• Mini – Lessons
– Short tutorials for specific advanced image
processing methods.
• Lessons
– Applications of remote sensing data.
• Modules
– Collections of lessons with a common theme.
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu

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How do you get it?
• http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/bilko/index.php
• Register with your email, name,
occupation, and country
– Use the email address you register with to
access the software/tutorials/updates/ etc…
• You won’t receive countless emails from
BILKO
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu

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So What?
• Learn new or hone old remote sensing
theory, and application skills
• Perform in-house imagery analysis
• Better understanding of remote sensing
data sets
• Save money
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu

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Future applications
• Connecticut View
– Provide data to users in the state of
Connecticut
– Education opportunities for the K-12
environment
• Inspiring Connecticut's future workforce with the
skills that are needed and will be needed.
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu

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Online References
• Bilko Home Page
– http://www.noc.soton.ac.uk/bilko/index.php
• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
– http://ioc-unesco.org/
• AmericaView
– http://www.americaview.org/
• Contact us:
– jeffrey.dunn@uconn.edu
– http://outsidetheneatline.blogspot.com
Digitizing the Past … to Empower 21st Century Research magic.lib.uconn.edu