Spatial resolution enhancement method for Landsat imagery using a Generative Adversarial Network

Landsat and Sentinel-2 are two freely accessible satellite data that are relevant for global land cover monitoring. However, the uses of the latter data set are growing because of its higher spatial resolutions and the availability of benchmark data sets for deep learning applications. In this study, we integrate a style transfer (perceptual loss estimation from Sentinel 2 benchmark data) into a Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) to construct a single image super-resolution model. The proposed model upscales Landsat 8 images (using red, green, blue, and near-infrared bands at 30 m and Panchromatic band 15 m for high-resolution features exploiting) to 10 m (with Sentinel-2 as reference). Compared to pan-sharpening and other upscaling methods, the proposed method can produce more realistic, spatial convincing images at 10 m resolution and more similar to Sentinel-2 images than the other commonly used super-resolution imaging algorithms. As a result, the proposed method extends the usage of high-resolution benchmark data sets for lower resolution imagery to enrich supplement data sources for land cover classification.

Automated summary

In this study, Sentinel-2 benchmark data is used for style transfer to upscale Landsat 8 images, creating a single image super-resolution model. The proposed method produces more realistic and spatially convincing images at 10 m resolution compared to other upscaling methods, enriching data sources for land cover classification.