Projects History Contact Location
Nickolas Faust
Vice President
International Centre for Remote Sensing Education, Inc.
P.O. Box 18285
Baltimore, MD 21227
Tel: 404/290-5462
E-Mail: nick.faust@gtri.gatech.edu
Professor Nickolas Faust, is the Associate Director for the Georgia Tech Center for GIS Head, Image Analysis and Visualization Branch Electro-Optics, Environment and Materials Laboratory at Georgia Institute of Technology. Professor Faust serves on a variety of scientific panels and committee. He was the co-chair of the International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS)-Commission II Working Group on hardware and software aspects of GIS. He was elected to the Space Technology Hall of Fame (1993) for his pioneering efforts in helping create the ELAS image processing software.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Nickolas L. Faust

Associate Director, Georgia Tech Center for GIS
Head, Image Analysis and Visualization Branch
Electro-Optics, Environment and Materials Laboratory

Education

Master of Science, Geophysical Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology. 1975

Bachelor of Science, Physics
Georgia Institute of Technology. 1969

Employment History

Georgia Institute of Technology
-Associate Director, Georgia Tech Center for GIS 1991-Present
-Principal Research Scientist 1986-Present
-Head, Image Analysis and Visualization Branch 1982-Present
-Senior Research Scientist 1978-1986
-Research Physicist 1974-1978
-Graduate Research Assistant 1972-1974

NASA Manned Space Center (MPAD)
-Aerospace Engineer/Physicist 1969-1972
-Student Trainee in Physics and Aerospace Engineering 1963-1968

Experience Summary

Coordinates research in the integration of Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and visualization technology areas. Associate Director of Georgia Tech Center for GIS, directing interdisciplinary work in GIS technology development and applications. Develops techniques for first principles driven multi-spectral simulation and derives high-resolution geographic databases for selected areas of the world. Works in multi-spectral sensor fusion using graphical visualization. Evaluates and analyzes two dimensional image compression techniques, and investigates their application to Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) and cross-country collaboration. Develops new concepts in interactive 3D Virtual GIS. Develops new techniques in image processing including: geo-correction, enhancement, pattern recognition, and change detection. Implements parallel distributed rendering and develops real time simulation capabilities. Teaches short courses and graduate level courses in image processing and GIS analysis techniques.

Current Fields of Interest

Remote sensing, automatic image processing techniques, turnkey system design, optimization, spatial analysis for geological applications; synthetic scene generation, modeling, and simulation; visualization, virtual 3D GIS, image compression, virtual reality, distributed spatial databases.


Registrations, Professional Affiliations, and Special Honors

Judge, Siemens National Scholarship Competition 2001
International Society of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing,
Commission II Working group on Hardware and Software
Aspects of GIS, Co-chair 1992-1996
Elected to Space Technology Hall of Fame 1993
ASPRS - Georgia/South Carolina Region, President 1988-1991
Member of Sigma Xi, ASPRS
NASA Certificate of Recognition (received two)
Past Member - IEEE, ISPRS, SPIE

Committee Memberships

Science Advisory Board, Georgia Tech GVU Center, Member 1993-Present
NCGIA Initiative XII - Integration of GIS and Remote Sensing, Member 1992-1996
Steering Committee for development of the NCGIA Core
Curriculum in Remote Sensing, Member 1991-Present

Conference Direction

SPIE-AEROSENSE - Conference Director 1997,1999,2001,2002
Program Committee - International Conference on Discrete Global Grids 2000
GIS/LIS, Atlanta, Technical Director 1992


Major Reports and Publications

1. "From Urban Terrain Models to Visible Cities," IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, July-August 2002.
2. "Digital Mapping Server Implementation for National Guard CounterDrug Programs," Proceedings of the ESRI Users Group Meeting 2002, San Diego, California, July 2002, coauthor.
3. "National Guard GIS and Related Technologies for CounterDrug Law Enforcement," Proceedings of the ESRI Users Group Meeting, San Diego, California, July 2002, coauthor.
4. "Organization and Simplification of High-Resolution 3D City Facades," Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense Symposium, Visualization of Temporal and Spatial Data for Civilian and Defense Applications IV, Vol. 4744B, Orlando, Florida, April 2002, coauthor.
5. "Simultaneous Spatial/Spectral Signature Visualization and Characterization of Targets," Proceedings of Federal Reconnaissance Users Conference of the National Reconnaissance Office, February 2002, coauthor.
6. "Building the Visual Earth," Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense, Radar Sensor Technology and Data Visualization, Vol. 4744, Orlando, Florida, April 2002, coauthor.
7. "Simultaneous Visualization of Spatial and Spectral Signatures of Targets," Fusion 2001 Conference of the International Society of Information Fusion, August 2001, coauthor.
8. "Situational Visualization," Proceedings of VRST'01, Banff, Alberta, Canada, November 15-17, 2001, coauthor
9. "Real-Time Weather Data on Terrain," Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4368 Visualization of Temporal and Spatial data for Civilian and Defense Applications III, SPIE Aerosense Symposium, Orlando, Florida, April 16, 2001, coauthor.
10. "Hierarchical Storage and Rendering of Real-Time Data," Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4368 Visualization of Temporal and Spatial Data for Civilian and Defense Applications III, SPIE Aerosense Symposium, Orlando, Florida, April 16, 2001, coauthor.
11. "Semi-Automatic Landscape Feature Extraction and Modeling," Proceedings of SPIE Vol 4368 Visualization of Temporal and Spatial Data for Civilian and Defense Applications III, SPIE Aerosense Symposium, Orlando, Florida, April 16, 2001, coauthor.
12. "GTVGIS Client-Server Modes," Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 4368 Visualization of Temporal and Spatial Data for Civilian and Defense Applications III, SPIE Aerosense Symposium, Orlando, Florida, April 16, 2001, coauthor.
13. "Interactive Volume Rendering of Non-Uniform Data in a Heterogeneous Environment, IEEE Proceedings of Visualization 2001, coauthor.
14. "Development of Tools for Construction of Urban Databases and Their Efficient Visualization", Chapter in 3D Synthetic Environments Construction, Kluwer Academic Press, March 2001, coauthor.
15. "Acquisition, Management, and Use of Large-Scale, Dynamic Geospatial Data", IEEE Proceedings of Visualization 2001, coauthor.
16. "Development of Shadow Identification Techniques", Final Report - Project A6273, Georgia Tech Research Institute, November 2000, coauthor.
17. "Development of an Automated Multi-Spectral Image Interpretability Rating System", Final report - Project A 6316, Georgia Tech Research Institute, October 2000, coauthor.
18. "Sensor Fusion and Image Interpretation Through Integrated Spatial/Spectral Pattern Recognition," Proceedings of 2000 Meeting of MSS National Symposium on Sensor and Data Fusion, San Antonio, Texas, 20-22 June 2000, coauthor
19. "Real Time Global Data Model for the Digital Earth," Proceedings of International Conference on Discrete Global Grids, Santa Barbara, California, March 26-28, 2000, coauthor.
20. "Visualization of Large Collections of Objects in a Global Scale Environment," to be published, IEEE Computer Graphics & Applications (2000), coauthor.
21. "Semi-automated and Interactive Construction of 3D Urban Terrain," Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense 99, Visualization of Temporal and Spatial Data for Defense Applications, Orlando, Florida, April 7, 1999, coauthor.
22. "Real-Time Visualization of Scalably Large Collections of Heterogeneous Objects," Report GIT-GVU-99-13, pp. 437-440, IEEE Visualization '99, coauthor.
23. "Intent, Perception, and Out-of-Core Visualization Applied to Terrain," Proceedings of IEEE Visualization 98, pp. 455-458, Raleigh, North Carolina, Oct. 98, coauthor.
24. "Raster Based GIS", chapter in The History of Geographic Information Systems: Perspectives from the Pioneers, Prentice Hall, 1998.
25. "An Integrated Global GIS and Visual Simulation System," Georgia Tech GVU Technical Report 97-7, 1997, coauthor
26. "High Fidelity Spectral Rendering of Backgrounds," Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense 97, Orlando, Florida, April 21?25, 1997, coauthor.
27. Three Dimensional Urban GIS for Atlanta, Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense 97, Orlando, Florida, April 21?25, 1997, coauthor.
28. "Time Series Change Detection of Savannah, Georgia," Proceedings of Aerosense 97, Orlando, Florida, April 21-25, 1997.
29. "Visualization and the Integration of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information," Topics in Remote Sensing 5: Integration of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing, Cambridge University Press, 55?81, 1997, coauthor.
30. "4D Symbology for Sensing and Simulation," Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense 96: Simulation for Training and Mission Rehearsal, April 1996, Orlando, Florida, coauthor.
31. "Development of a Geographic Information System (GIS) for Tropical Storm Alberto," Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense 96: Simulation for Training and Mission Rehearsal, April 1996, Orlando, Florida, coauthor.
32. "High Fidelity Infrared Scene Simulation at Georgia Tech," Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense 96, Orlando, Florida, April 1996, coauthor.
33. "OpenGL VGIS," Proceedings of SPIE Aerosense 96, Orlando, Florida, April 1996, coauthor.
34. "Real-Time, Continuous Level of Detail Rendering of Height Fields," Proceedings of SIGGRAPH 96, Computer Graphics Proceedings, Annual Conference Series, 1996, ACM SIGGRAPH, pp. 109-118, coauthor.
35. "Virtual GIS: A Real-Time 3D Geographic Information System," Proceedings of Visualization 95, Atlanta, Georgia, October 1995, coauthor.
36. "Security Applications of Virtual Reality GIS," Proceedings of SPIE AIPR Workshop, Washington, D.C., 1995.
37. "Level-of-Detail Management for Real-Time Rendering of Photo textured Terrain," GVU Technical Report # 95-06, August 1995, coauthor.
38. "Supporting Mechanisms, Cycles, and Processes," GIS Technology Trends: Geographic Analysis, GIS World Source book 1995, GIS World, Inc.
39. "Raster Based GIS," Chapter in GIS Development in North America, GIS World, Inc., June 1995.
40. "3D Virtual GIS," Proceedings of ISPRS Commission II Symposium, Systems for Data Processing, Analysis and Representation, Ottawa, Canada, 6-10 June 1994.
41. "Temporal Effects of Wetlands Assessment," Proceedings of ISPRS Working Group II/2, "Hardware and Software Aspects of GIS," Workshop on the Requirements for Integrated Geographic Information Systems, 2-3 February 1994, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
42. "Geographic Information System Panel Findings," prepared for the Department of Community Affairs, Emergency Management System Development Project, Contract No. 93-EMSDP, 20 December 1993, coauthor.
43. "Virtual GIS, a New Reality," Proceedings of Third, International Conference on Urban Planning and Urban Management, Atlanta, Georgia, July 23-25, 1993.
44. "ADATS Radar Simulator and Associated Seeker System Program," Final Report A?9286, May 1993, coauthor.
45. "Multi spectral/Hyperspectral Imaging and Data Compression," NSF Conference on Image Processing: Techniques and Applications in Civil Engineering, Kona, Hawaii, March 1993.
46. "Progress in Computing Technology for Geographic Information and Image Analysis Systems," 17th Congress of the International Society of Remote Sensing (ISPRS), Washington, D.C., August 1992.
47. "MICOM Database Building," Final Report A?9062, April 1992, coauthor.
48. "High Resolution Database Development for Infrared Modeling," Final Report, Contract DAAH01?88?D?0004, March 1992, coauthor.
49. "High Resolution Imagery as a Basis for Interactive 3D Planning," American City and County Government, August 1991.
50. "How Atlanta and Georgia Tech Used GIS To Help Win the 1996 Summer Olympic Games," Proceedings of the ISPRS Commission II/VII, International Workshop on 3D in Remote Sensing and GIS: Systems and Applications, Munich, Germany, September 16-22, 1991.
51. "Application of Multi-variate Image Analysis to Analysis of TM and Hyperspectral Image Data for Mineral Exploration," Proceedings of the 8th ERIM Thematic Conference in Geologic Remote Sensing, Denver, Colorado, April 29 - May 2, 1991, coauthor.
52. "Display Technologies for Remote Sensing/GIS," Proceedings of the ASPRS Annual Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, March 25-28, 1991.
53. "Future Computing Environment for GIS/RS," Proceedings of the SSPRS Annual meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, March 25-28, 1991.
54. "Integration of Remote Sensing and GIS -- The Future Computing Environment," Special Issue on Integration of Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems, Photogrammetric Engineering and Remote Sensing, June 1991.
55. "AN/UYS-2 Expanded Application Preliminary Study," Final Technical Report, Project A-8828, submitted to Southern Center for Electrical Engineering Education, under contract N60921-87-D-A315 Task 0118, May 1991, coauthor.
56. "Quantitative Methods for Rating Micro-Surface Mottle of Paper," Final Report, Project 90-70281, Institute of Paper Science and Technology, January 30, 1991, coauthor.
57. "A Computer-Based System for Target Identification Training Based on Synthetic Image Generation of Infrared Scenes," Proceedings of SPIE, I/ITSC, November 1990, coauthor.
58. "Effects of Resolution on Infrared Clutter," Interim Report, Project A8286, GTRI-Georgia Tech, November 1990.
59. "Multi-variate Image Analysis," Proceedings of Fall ASPRS Annual Meeting, November 1990.
60. "Subvisual Cirrus Detection via a Multi spectral Decomposition Method," Proceedings of Seventh Conference on Atmospheric Radiation, July 1990, coauthor.
61. "Technical Reference Guide for GTSIMS (Georgia Tech Synthetic Imaging Missile Simulation)," Interim Report, Project F09603-85-G-3104, May 1990, coauthor.
62. "Users Manual for GTSIMS (Georgia Tech Synthetic Imaging Missile Simulation)," Interim Report, Project F09603-85-G-3104, May 1990, coauthor.
63. "Validation of GTVISIT," GTRI Final Report, Project DAA01-86-C-A110, May 1990.
64. "GTVISIT: Infrared (IR) Background Clutter Model," GTRI Final Report, Project DAAH01?86-A110, May 1990, coauthor.
65. "New Results in Recursive 2-D Motion Estimation Algorithms," IEEE Southeast Conference Proceedings, April 1990.
66. "Multi spectral Signal Processing and Modeling," GTRI Final Technical Report, Project E-904-005, January 1990.
67. "Flight Simulation in Support of the Successful Atlanta 1996 Olympics Bid," Georgia Journal of Science, 48, No. 4, 196-207, 1990, coauthor.
68. "Concepts for Database Building," Project 2851 Newsletter, Planning Research Corp., McLean, Virginia, May 1989.
69. "GTSPECS -- Multi spectral Scene Simulation," Tri-Service Data Fusion Symposium, Johns Hopkins University, May 1989.
70. "GTSPECS -- Multi spectral Scene Simulation," Proceedings of the Second National Symposium on Sensor Fusion, March 1989.
71. "Image Enhancement in The Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology," 20, Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1989.
72. "Resource Assessment in Ningxia, China," Proceedings of the National Computer Graphics Association Mapping and GIS '88, Orlando, Florida, September 12-15, 1988.
73. "Development of a Geographic Information System for Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China," Proceedings of the 65th Thematic Conference on Remote Sensing for Exploration Geology, Houston, Texas, May 16-19, 1988.
74. "PC Based Synthetic Scene Generation," Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), Orlando, Florida, March 1988.
75. "Design Concept for Database Building," Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), Orlando, Florida, March 1988.
76. "Avionics Configuration Analysis Program (ACAP) - Functional Description," Interim Report, Project A-4965-700, January 1988, coauthor.
77. "The Development of Small Computer Geographic Analysis Systems for Military Applications," IGIS 87, Virginia, November 15-18, 1987.
78. "Integration of LANDSAT, DTED, and DFAD," Proceedings of the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), Orlando, Florida, May 1987.
79. "Extrapolation of Infrared Signatures to other Environments," Final Report, GTRI TT-A-4273-500-4, June 1986, coauthor.
80. "A Digital Infrared Imagery Data Collection and Analysis System," SPIE Proceedings, 636, April 1986, coauthor.
81. "Analysis of Infrared Signature Data of Land Combat Vehicles Measured from A Fixed Tower Facility," Final Report, GTRI-TT-A-4181-500-1, April 1986.
82. "Evaluation of Causes of Seismicity near Charleston, SC, Development and Analysis of Multiple Data Sets," Proceedings of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists Fifty-Fifth Annual International Meeting and Exposition, October 8, 1985, coauthor.
83. "TAWS Development Plan," Interim Report, Project A-3924, March 1985.
84. "DEDDF Support Systems Manual," Interim Report, Project A-3723, October 12, 1984.
85. "Fracture Trace Analysis to Increase the Probability of Locating Groundwater in Murray County, Georgia," Final Report, Project G-836 (22), August 1984, coauthor.
86. "Search for Exposures of Ultramafic Rocks in Georgia by LANDSAT Imagery," Final Report, Project A?3307, December 1983, coauthor.
87. "DEDDF Support," Final Report, Project A-3307, December 1983, coauthor.
88. "LANDSAT Capability for Capir," Final Report, Project A-3348, December 1983, coauthor.
89. "LANDSAT and DMA Elevation Study," Final Report, Project A-3559, September 1983.
90. "Development of Remidas" A Multi-Source Integrated Analysis System for Forestry Applications," Proceedings of the 1983 ACSM-ASP Fall Technical Meeting, September 1983, coauthor.
91. "Geophysical/Geochemical Processing for the State of Alaska," Proceedings of 2nd Annual Center for Earth Resource Management Applications (CERMA) Conference, San Francisco, California, August 1983, coauthor.
92. "Alaska Geochemical Modeling System," Final Report, Project A-3336, August 1983, coauthor.
93. "Southeastern Area Earth Resources Data Analysis System Cooperative Project," Final Report Project A?2205, December 1982, coauthor.
94. "Evaluation of FEED System," Final Report, Project A-3067, May 1982, coauthor.
95. "Computer Graphics Tactical Decision Aid," Final Report, Project A-2170-866, March 1982, coauthor.
96. "Land Use Classification Accuracy of Merged MSS and RBV Digital Image Data," Proceedings of the 1982 Annual ACSM-ASP Convention, Denver, Colorado, March 15-20, 1982, coauthor.
97. "Minimum Cost LANDSAT Image Processing," Proceedings of the Society of Photo-optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE), San Diego, California, August 1981.
98. "An Issue Paper on the Organization and Integration of Flood Plain Information into a Data Base Management System," Final Report, A-2086, May 1981.
99. "Development and Implementation of a Low Cost Micro Computer System for LANDSAT Analysis and Geographic DataBase Applications," Proceedings of the Fourteenth International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 1981.
100. "Automated Classification of Watershed Runoff Coefficients from LANDSAT Multi spectral Data," Proceedings of the Annual American Society of Photogrammetry Meeting, February 1981, coauthor.
101. "Software Documentation for Batch Landsat Processing System," Project A-2794, January 1981, coauthor.
102. "Development of a Microcomputer LANDSAT and Data Base Analysis System," Proceedings of the IEEE Computer Society Ninth Workshop on Applied Imagery Pattern Recognition, College Park, Maryland, September 1980, coauthor.
103. "Data Systems Study for the Remote Sensing of Atmospheric Data," Georgia Tech Final Report, Project A-2008, May 1979.
104. "Georgia Operational LANDSAT Processing System," Proceedings of the Conference on Machine Processing of Remotely Sensed Data, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, June 27?30, 1979, coauthor.
105. "Design of a Low Cost Automated LANDSAT Data Analysis System," Proceedings of the 14th International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Earth Resources, University of Michigan, April 1979.
106. "Computer Processing of Peach Tree Decline Data," GTRI Final Technical Report, Project A?1808, coauthor.
107. "Design of a Computer Technique to Aid in Coal Reserve Calculation Using Digital Topography, Coal Drill Hole Data, and LANDSAT," GTRI Final Technical Report, Project A-1890, May 1978, coauthor.
108. "Design of Low Cost Earth Resources Digital Analysis Systems," GTRI Final Technical Report, Project A-1938, August 1978.
109. "The Use of LANDSAT Data to Inventory Cotton and Soybean Acreage in North Alabama," Remote Sensing of Earth Resources, Vol. VII, The University of Tennessee Space Institute, Tullahoma, Tennessee, March 1978, coauthor.
110. "LANDSAT Digital Analysis to Determine Landcover in Central Georgia," GTRI Final Technical Report, Project A-1909, February 1978.
111. "Analysis of LANDSAT Data over Southeast Alabama and Southwest Georgia," GTRI Final Technical Report, Project A-1874, December 1977, coauthor.
112. "LANDSAT Data for State Planning," GTRI Final Technical Report, Project A-1621, June 1977, coauthor.
113. "Technical Evaluation of Phase I of the State of Georgia/NASA Transfer of Technology Program," GTRI Final Technical Report, Project Al-1898, January 1977.
114. "Development of a Spatial Classifier for Earth Resources Data," Proceedings of the American Society of Photogrammetry-Fall Convention, October 26-31, 1975.
115. "LANDSAT Data for State Planning," GTRI Annual Technical Report, Project A-1621, December 1975.
116. "Study of Geological Applications of Digitally Processed Remote Sensing Data in Georgia," Proceedings of the ASP Remote Sensing Symposium, April 1975.
117. "Study of USGS/NASA Land Use Classification System," GTRI Interim Report, Project A-1621, December 1974, coauthor.
118. "Monitoring the Environment Through Remote Satellite Sensing," Proceedings of the XIVth Convention of the Pan American Union of Engineering Associates, October 3-10, 1974, coauthor.
119. "Computer Land Use Mapping from ERTS," GTRI Final Report, Project A-1557, 25 March 1974, coauthor.
120. "Martian Moon Rendezvous with a Viking Type Spacecraft," AIAA Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, Vol. 10, No. 8, 520, August 1973, coauthor.
121. "Manned Mars Lander Launch-to-Rendezvous Analysis for a 1981 Venus-Swingby Mission," MSC Technical Note, 1972, coauthor.
122. "Martian Moon Rendezvous," MSC Internal Note 71-FM-452, January 4, 1972, coauthor.
123. "Broken Plan Trajectory Analysis for a 1981 Round Trip Mission to the Moons of Mars," MSC Internal Note 71-FM-426, December 17, 1971, coauthor.
124. "A Study of the Jupiter-Saturn-Pluto (JSP) and Jupiter-Uranus-Neptune (JUN) Missions from 1976 to 1983," MSC Internal Note 71-FM-161, July 19, 1971, coauthor.
125. "Inequality Constraints in Primer-Optimal, N-Impulse Solutions," AIAA Journal 9, No. 4, 760?763, April 1971, coauthor.
126. "Launch and Polar Orbit Transfer Velocity Requirements for the LM-B (Space Tug)," MSC Internal Note 70-FM-37, March 9, 1970.
127. "Optimum Multi-Impulse Rendezvous Trajectories Between Time-Coupled States," MSC Internal Note 69-FM-26, February 6, 1969.
128. "An Analytical Formulation of the Conic State Transition Matrix Using a Universal Conic Variable," MSC Internal Note 66-FM-99, September 1966, coauthor.

Revised August 2002