The Titan Image Processing module contains a set of analytical routines designed for the restoration, enhancement and computer-assisted interpretation of digital images, mostly of remotely sensed data. Remote sensing refers to the use of satellite images and aerial photography to obtain geographic data. Satellites are used to gather data about the surface of large regions of the planet, and then to present this data in a computer compatible format. Aerial photography permits the collection of data describing the continuous change in phenomena from one place to another. This type of remote sensing most often relies on the use of aircraft to carry a photographic device designed to sense and record portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Currently, methods to input remotely sensed data into a GIS involve three steps. The first step is to produce an image using remote sensing techniques (aerial photography, satellite, etc.). The second step is to translate the remotely sensed image into a map document (paper format). Finally, the map is digitised for input into a GIS.

"In a sense, the great majority of the data contained in digital, spatial databases is derived from remote sensing. The derivation is indirect since most data are captured by digitization (either manual or automatic) from map documents, which are, in turn, frequently derived from photogrammetric processing of aerial photography. However, the direct utilization of remote sensing inputs (especially those based on orbital sensors) is found in only a limited number of cases at present." (Marble, 1990)

While the above quote is from a 1990 paper, Marble's criticism on the lack of integration between GIS and Remote Sensing is still valid today. Titan is one of the first commercially available geomatics packages to integrate both GIS and remotely sensed image processing into one, stand-alone system. Integrating GIS and remote sensing allows GIS to extract information directly from a remotely-sensed image. This eliminates the resource intensive process of converting a digital image to paper, only to return the image to digital format again for GIS input.

Remotely sensed images are directly fed into the Titan Image Processing module where they are corrected for sensor irregularities and unwanted sensor or atmospheric noise. Titan Image converts remote sensing data to accurately represent the reflected or emitted radiation measured by the sensor. Titan Image also converts data to real world co-ordinates on the earth's surface, such as latitude and longitude.

Below is a snapshot of a remotely sensed image processed using Titan Image.