Engineering topics

Palmer, J. M.

Publications and source records attributed to Palmer, J. M..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS1991

Ground-reference site and on-board methods for sensor absolute calibration in the 0.4 to 2.5 micron range

The absolute radiometric calibration uncertainty requirement for several multispectral imaging sensors to be used in the Earth Observing System (EOS) program is +/- 2 percent (one sigma) with respect to the sun. Proposed in-flight absolute calibration methods are reviewed that have this uncertainty as their goal. In particular two methods are described as are recent improvements to them that concern reflectance- and radiance-based calibration using a carefully selected ground reference site. The magnitudes of the error sources are listed. A ratioing radiometer approach to monitoring the reflectance of a solar diffuser used for onboard calibration is discussed.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and multispectral scanner system

The eleventh quarterly report on Spectroradiometric Calibration of the Thematic Mapper (Contract NAS5-27832) discusses calibrations made at White Sands on 24 May 1985. An attempt is made to standardize test results. Critical values used in the final steps of the data reduction and the comparison of the results of the pre-flight and internal calibration (IC) data are summarized.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

The results of analyses of Thematic Mapper (TM) images acquired on July 8 and October 28, 1984, and of a check of the calibration of the 1.22-m integrating sphere at Santa Barbara Research Center (SBRC) are described. The results obtained from the in-flight calibration attempts disagree with the pre-flight calibrations for bands 2 and 4. Considerable effort was expended in an attempt to explain the disagreement. The difficult point to explain is that the difference between the radiances predicted by the radiative transfer code (the code radiances) and the radiances predicted by the preflight calibration (the pre-flight radiances) fluctuate with spectral band. Because the spectral quantities measured at White Sands show little change with spectral band, these fluctuations are not anticipated. Analyses of other targets at White Sands such as clouds, cloud shadows, and water surfaces tend to support the pre-flight and internal calibrator calibrations. The source of the disagreement has not been identified. It could be due to: (1) a computational error in the data reduction; (2) an incorrect assumption in the input to the radiative transfer code; or (3) incorrect operation of the field equipment.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1985

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

The effects of the atmosphere on propagating radiation must be known in order to calibrate an in orbit sensor using ground based measurements. A set of model atmosphere parameters, applicable to the White Sands (New Mexico) area is defined with particular attention given to those parameters which are required as input to the Herman Code. The radial size distribution, refractive index, vertical distribution, and visibility of aerosols are discussed as well as the molecular absorbers in the visible and near IR wavelength which produce strong absorption lines. Solar irradiance is also considered.

Palmer, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1985

In-progress Absolute Radiometric Inflight Calibration of the LANDSAT-4 Sensors

Using selected instrumented areas at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico as reference, radiometric calibration is to be effected on the sensors of LANDSAT 4, particularly the thematic mapper. Optical measurements made during a TM overpass are discussed. The radiances of selected large ground areas are measured in the spectral bandpasses of the TM; the total optical thickness of the atmosphere is measured in nine narrow spectral intervals. Ground truth in the form of reflectances collected for the alkalai flat region of gypsum and for the snow at White Sands is described.

Castle, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

Radiometric measurements were taken on the morning of the LANDSAT 5 Thematic Mapper overpass. The sky was cloud free and the sites were dry. Barnes multiband radiometer data were collected for a 4 x 4 pixel area and two fractional pixel areas of slightly higher and lower reflectances than the larger area. Helicopter color photography was obtained of all the ground areas. This photography will allow a detailed reflectance map of the 4 x 4 pixel are to be made and registered to the TM imagery to an accuracy of better than half a pixel. Spectropolarimeter data were also collected of the 4 x 4 pixel area from the helicopter. In addition, ground based solar radiometer data were collected to provide spectral extinction optical thickness valves. The radiative transfer theory used in the development of the Herman code which was used in predicting the TM entrance pupil spectral radiances from the ground based measurements is described.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

The reduction of the data measured on July 8, 1984 at White Sands, New Mexico is summarized. The radiance incident at the entrance pupil of the LANDSAT 5 sensors have been computed for bands 1 to 4. When these are compared to the digital counts of the TM image, the ground based calibration for this sensor will be given. The image was received from Goddard SFC and is presently being analyzed.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1984

In-flight Absolute Radiometric Calibration of the Thematic Mapper

The Thematic Mapper (TM) multispectral scanner system was placed into Earth orbit on July 16, 1982, as part of NASA's LANDSAT 4 payload. To determine temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire system in flight, spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere are made simultaneously with TM image acquisitions over the White Sands, New Mexico area. By entering the measured values into an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels at the entrance pupil of the TM in four of the TM spectral bands are determined. These levels are compared to the output digital counts from the detectors that sampled the radiometrically measured ground area, thus providing an absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system utilizing those detectors. By reference to an adjacent, larger uniform area, the calibration is extended to all 16 detectors in each of the three bands.

Castle, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Spectroradiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner system

The newly built Caste spectropolarimeters gave satisfactory performance during tests in the solar radiometer and helicopter modes. A bandwidth normalization technique based on analysis of the moments of the spectral responsivity curves was used to analyze the spectral bands of the MSS and TM subsystems of LANDSAT 4 and 5 satellites. Results include the effective wavelength, the bandpass, the wavelength limits, and the normalized responsivity for each spectral channel. Temperature coefficients for TM PF channel 6 were also derived. The moments normalization method used yields sensor parameters whose derivation is independent of source characteristics (i.e., incident solar spectral irradiance, atmospheric transmittance, or ground reflectance). The errors expected using these parameters are lower than those expected using other normalization methods.

Palmer, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the Thematic Mapper

In order to determine temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system in flight spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM image collections over the White Sands, NM area. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined, band 1: 0.45 to 0.52 micrometers, band 2: 0.53 to 0.61 micrometers, band 3: 0.62 to 0.70 micrometers, and 4: 0.78 to 0.91 micrometers. These levels were compared to the output digital counts from the detectors that sampled the radiometrically measured ground area, thus providing an absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system utilizing those detectors. Previously announced in STAR as N84-15633

Castle, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Effective bandwidths for Landsat-4 and Landsat-D' multispectral scanner and thematic mapper subsystems

The spectral bands of the Multispectral Scanner and Thematic Mapper subsystems of Landsat-4 and Landsat-D' have been analyzed using a bandwidth normalization technique based on analysis of the moments of the spectral responsitivity curves. The results include the effective wavelength, the bandpass, the wavelength limits, and the normalized responsivity for each spectral channel. In addition, temperature coefficients for TM PF Channel 6 have been derived. The moments normalization method employed yields sensor parameters whose derivation is independent of source characteristics (i.e., incident solar spectral irradiance, atmospoheric transmittance, or ground reflectance). The errors expected using these parameters are lower than those expected using other normalization methods.

Palmer, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1984

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the thematic mapper

In order to determine temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system in flight spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM image collections over the White Sands, New Mexico area. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined, band 1:0.45 to 0.52 micrometers, band 2:0.53 to 0.61 micrometers band 3:0.62 to 0.70 micrometers and 4:0.78 to 0.91 micrometers. These levels were compared to the output digital counts from the detectors that sampled the radiometrically measured ground area, thus providing an absolute radiometric calibration of the entire TM system utilizing those detectors.

Castle, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Spectroradiometric calibration of the thematic mapper and multispectral scanner system

The design of a spectroradiometer under construction for atmosheric and surface measurements at White Sands, New Mexico is described. The instrument's observation capability encompasses (1) measuring the solar radiance at a number of wavelengths as a function of air mass for Langley plot analysis in order to generate the optical depth; (2) measuring the ground radiance to determine the absolute ground reflectance; and (3) measuring the sky radiance as a method of checking the accuracy of the radiative transfer program.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Spectroradiometric calibration of the thematic mapper and multispectral scanner system

The results obtained for the absolute calibration of TM bands 2, 3, and 4 are presented. The results are based on TM image data collected simultaneously with ground and atmospheric data at White Sands, New Mexico. Also discussed are the results of a moments analysis to determine the equivalent bandpasses, effective central wavelengths and normalized responses of the TM and MSS spectral bands; the calibration of the BaSO, plate used at White Sands; and future plans.

Slater, P. N.↗

NASA NTRS1983

In-progress absolute radiometric inflight calibration of the LANDSAT-4 sensors

An approach is described for providing periodic inflight absolute radiometric calibrations of the LANDSAT-4 sensors by reference to selected, instrumented ground areas. Results of some early ground measurements and computer simulations are presented. Selection of a suitable ground reference site, accurate measurement of the spectral reflectance of the selected area, determination of atmospheric characteristics during the morning of the sensor overpass, reduction of the measured data and their use in an appropriate atmospheric radiative transfer program, and comparison of the radiance level data with the digital counts of for the images of the selected areas are discussed. Preliminary measurements of gypsum are being made as an aid in defining the characteristics of field equipment to be constructed and calibrated for use over the White Sands Missile Range.

Castle, K.↗

NASA NTRS1983

In-flight absolute radiometric calibration of the thematic mapper

The TM multispectral scanner system was calibrated in an absolute manner before launch. To determine the temporal changes of the absolute radiometric calibration of the entire system, spectroradiometric measurements of the ground and the atmosphere were made simultaneously with TM collections over White Sands, New Mexico. By entering the measured values in an atmospheric radiative transfer program, the radiance levels of the in four of the spectral bands of the TM were determined. Tables show values for the reflectance of snow at White Sands measured by a modular 8 channel radiometer, and values for exoatmospheric irradiance within the TM passbands, calculated for the Earth-Sun distance using a solar radiometer.

Castle, K. R.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Spectroradiometric calibration of the thematic mapper and multispectral scanner system

The results of an analysis that relates thematic mapper (TM) saturation level to ground reflectance, calendar date, latitude, and atmospheric condition is provided. A revised version of the preprint included with the last quarterly report is also provided for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.

Palmer, J. M.↗

NASA NTRS1980

Pioneer Venus Sounder Probe Solar Flux Radiometer

The Solar Flux Radiometer aboard the Pioneer Venus Sounder Probe operated successfully during its descent through the atmosphere of Venus. The instrument measured atmospheric radiance over the spectral range from 400 to 1800 nm as a function of altitude. Elevation and azimuthal measurements on the radiation field were made with five optical channels. Twelve filtered Si and Ge photovoltaic detectors were maintained near 30 C with a phase-change material. The detector output currents were processed with logarithmic transimpedance converters and digitized with an 11-bit A/D converter. Atmospheric sampling in both elevation and azimuth was done according to a Gaussian integration scheme. The serial output data averaged 20 bits/sec, including housekeeping (sync, spin period, sample timing and mode). The data were used to determine the deposition of solar energy in the atmosphere of Venus between 67 km and the surface along with upward and downward fluxes and radiances with an altitude resolution of several hundred meters. The results allow for more accurate modeling of the radiation balance of the atmosphere than previously possible.

Tomasko, M. G.↗