PRIMUS: a tool for the simulation of images acquired by the optical payloads on board of PRISMA mission

OPTIMA project ("Metodologie avanzate per l'analisi,
l'integrazione e l'ottimizzazione dei prodotti di livello 1 e 2
della missione PRISMA") is one of the five independent
scientific research contracts granted by the Italian Space
Agency (ASI) to investigate the performance of the
hyperspectral sensor and the panchromatic mediumresolution
camera on board of PRISMA mission and to
develop novel applications.
In the framework of OPTIMA the image simulation tool
PRIMUS ("PRISMA Realistic IMage Utility for
Simulation") has been developed. PRIMUS takes into
account instrumental characteristics and most of the
phenomena that affect acquired hyperspectral images, such
as atmospheric effects and noise. The simulation tool can be
used to test and validate algorithms and procedures, thanks
to the controlled flux of data and the presence of "ground
truth".
Results coming from software implementation are shown
and discussed together with the technical solutions adopted
for managing the large amount of hyperspectral data.