BSQ(Band Sequential)

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Introduction

BSQ (Band Sequential) is a file format for storing multi-band raster data, which is widely used in remote sensing, geographic information system (GIS), image processing and other fields. BSQ is a format that stores data in band order. The data of each band is arranged in a linear manner, and the storage structure is simple and efficient.

File Structure

The BSQ format organizes multi-band data in the following structure:

Band sequential storage:

The data of each band is stored in the file in order, with the data of the first band stored first, then the second band, and so on. The pixel values of each band are stored in row-first order.

File structure:

BSQ files usually consist of a main file (data file) and an auxiliary file (header file):

The main file stores the actual data values.

Auxiliary header files (such as .hdr) store metadata, including image size (number of rows, columns, number of bands), data type (such as integer or floating point), projection information, etc.

Supported resolution and data type:

The BSQ format is suitable for storing hyperspectral data and can support dozens to hundreds of bands.

The data type is flexible, supporting 8-bit, 16-bit integers, 32-bit floating point numbers, etc.

Pros

1. Simple storage structure: Each band is stored continuously, and reading and operating the data of a specific band is more efficient.

2. Efficient band processing: For operations on a single band or a small number of bands (such as image enhancement or classification), the BSQ format storage method avoids unnecessary data reading and improves processing speed.

3. Easy to understand and implement: The storage logic is clear, making it suitable for fast implementation in low-complexity programs.

4. Compatibility: Many remote sensing software and image processing tools (such as ENVI, ERDAS, ArcGIS) support the BSQ format.

Cons

1. Low efficiency of multi-band reading: When reading all bands, the band pointer needs to be switched repeatedly, which is less efficient than BIL (Band Interleaved by Line) and BIP (Band Interleaved by Pixel) formats.

2. Large storage space: Since the data is stored in order of bands, there is no data compression mechanism, resulting in large files.

3. Lack of flexibility of random access: Not suitable for application scenarios that require simultaneous access to multiple bands or frequent switching of bands.

Application Scenario

The BSQ file format is particularly suitable for single-band or small-band processing scenarios due to its characteristics of storing data in band order. It is widely used in remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), and hyperspectral data analysis. In agricultural monitoring, it is used to analyze vegetation indices and crop health; in geological surveys, it is used to extract spectral reflectance characteristics of mineral distribution; in hydrological research, it is used for water body reflectance analysis; in urban planning, it is used to monitor the heat island effect. In addition, it is also suitable for applications that require high-precision band data processing, such as land classification and hyperspectral target detection.