Kernel-based extreme learning machine for remote-sensing image classification

This letter evaluates the effectiveness of a new kernel-based extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm for a land cover classification using both multi- and hyperspectral remote-sensing data. The results are compared with the most widely used algorithms – support vector machines (SVMs). The results are compared in terms of the ease of use (in terms of the number of user-defined parameters), classification accuracy and computation cost. A radial basis kernel function was used with both the SVM and the kernel-based extreme-learning machine algorithms to ensure compatibility in the comparison of the two algorithms. The results suggest that the new algorithm is similar to, or more accurate than, SVM in terms of classification accuracy, has notable lower computational cost and does not require the implementation of a multiclass strategy.