HyperMix: A New Tool for Higher Education of Computer and Remote Sensing Engineers

This paper describes HyperMix, a computer tool that has been specifically designed for the education of computer and remote sensing engineers. The tool is available online (http://hypercomphypermix.blogspot.com.es). HyperMix is an open-source tool that integrates different algorithms for interpreting remotely sensed hyperspectral images collected by Earth-observation instruments. Due to the large size of these images, HyperMix automatically recognizes if the computer in which it is installed has a graphics processing unit (GPU) available, and optimizes the execution of these algorithms in the GPU. This allows for the execution of hyperspectral imaging algorithms in computationally efficient fashion. In this paper, we present a comprehensive survey and analysis of the educational possibilities of the tool, which are based on an exploratory study conducted among users of the tool worldwide. We conclude that HyperMix provides a valuable tool for higher education of a new generation of remote sensing engineers.