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Sun, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Sun, J..

46 records · Page 3

Inter-Comparison of Terra and Aqua MODIS

Nearly identical copies of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) have been operating on-board the NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra and Aqua satellites since their launches in December 1999 and May 2002, respectively. Each MODIS has 20 reflective solar bands (RSB) with center wavelengths ranging from 0.41 to 2.1 micrometers and 16 thermal emissive bands (TEB) from 3.7 to 14.4 micrometers. The absolute radiometric accuracy requirements (1 sigma) at the typical spectral radiance levels are plus or minus 2% for the RSB for the RSB reflectance factors and plus or minus 5% for the RSB radiance products. With few exceptions, the TEB requirements are plus or minus 1%. The sensor's on-orbit radiometric calibration is performed by the on-board calibrators, including a solar diffuser (SD) and a solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM) system for the RSB and a V-groove flat panel blackbody (BB) for the TEB. In addition, the Moon has been extensively used by both Terra and Aqua MODIS to support their on-orbit calibration and characterization. This paper presents MODIS lunar calibration methodology and inter-comparison of Terra and Aqua MODIS in the VIS/NIR spectral regions. Current results from lunar observations show that the calibration difference between the two sensors is less than plus or minus 1%. Also discussed in this paper are the approaches and results of inter-comparison of Terra and Aqua MODIS in the TEB using closely matched thermal infrared (TIR) channels on the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) at 11 and 12 micrometers.

Xiong, X.↗

An Overview of Lunar Calibration and Characterization for the EOS Terra and Aqua MODIS

The Moon can be used as a stable source for Earth-observing sensors on-orbit radiometric and spatial stability monitoring in the VIS and NIR spectral regions. It can also serve as a calibration transfer vehicle among multiple sensors. Nearly identical copies of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODE) have been operating on-board the NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) Terra and Aqua satellites since their launches in December 1999 and May 2002, respectively. Terra and Aqua MODIS each make observations in 36 spectral bands covering the spectral range from 0.41 to 14.5 microns and are calibrated on-orbit by a set of on-board calibrations (OBCs) including: 1) a solar diffuser (SD), 2) a solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM), 3) a blackbody (BB), and 4) a spectro-radiometric calibration assembly (SRCA). In addition to fully utilizing the OBCs, the Moon has been used extensively by both Terra and Aqua MODIS to support their on-orbit calibration and characterization. A 4 This paper provides an overview of applications of lunar calibration and characterization from the MODIS perspective, including monitoring radiometric calibration stability for the reflective solar bands (RSBs), tracking changes of the sensors response versus scan-angle (RVS), examining the sensors spatial performance , and characterizing optical leaks and electronic crosstalk among different spectral bands and detectors. On-orbit calibration consistency between the two MODIS instruments is also addressed. Based on the existing on-orbit time series of the Terra and Aqua MODIS lunar observations, the radiometric difference between the two sensors is less than +/-1% for the RSBs. This method provides a powerful means of performing calibration comparisons among Earth-observing sensors and assures consistent data and science products for the long-term studies of climate and environmental changes.

Xiong, X.↗

MODIS On-orbit Calibration: Key Issues and Approaches

MODIS, one of the key instruments for the NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS), is currently operating on both the Terra and Aqua spacecraft making continuous observations in 36 spectral bands from 0.4 to 14.4 micrometers. A complete suite of on-board calibrators (OBC) have been designed for the instruments' on-orbit calibration and characterization, including a solar diffuser (SD) and solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM) system for the radiometric calibration of the 20 reflective solar bands (RSB), a blackbody (BB) for the radiometric calibration of the 16 thermal emissive bands (TEZB), and a spectro-radiometric calibration assembly (SRCA) for the sensors' spatial and spectral characterization. The task of continuously performing high quality on-orbit calibration and characterization of all 36 spectral bands with a total of 490 detectors located on four focal plane assemblies is extremely challenging. The use of a large two-sided paddle wheel scan mirror with a +/- 55 deg scan angle range and a retractable pinhole attenuation screen in front of the SD panel for calibrating the high gain bands have resulted in additional unanticipated complexity. In this paper, we describe some of the key issues in the Terra and Aqua MODIS on-orbit calibration and characterization, and discuss the methods developed to solve these problems or to reduce their impact on the Level 1B calibration algorithms. Instrument performance and current issues are also presented.

Xiong, Xian-Xiong↗

Degradation of MODIS Optics and its Reflective Solar Bands Calibration

The MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) has 36 spectral bands with wavelength ranging from 0.41 micron to 14.5 micron and spatial resolution between 0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 km at Nadir. Its ProtoFlight Model (PFM) on the NASA EOS Terra spacecraft has been providing global coverage of the Land, Ocean, and Atmosphere for the science community since the instrument opened its Nadir door on 24 February 2000. The MODIS optical system consists of a 2-sided paddle wheel scan mirror, a fold mirror, a primary mirror, and other aft optics. The sensor's 20 reflective solar bands from 0.41 to 2.1 micron are calibrated on-orbit by a solar diffuser (SD) and a solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM). In addition to SD, degradation of the MODIS optics in the reflective solar bands has been observed, including variations in degradation between the two sides of the MODIS scan mirror. During MODIS first year of on-orbit operation, the overall degradations at the shortest wavelength (0.41 micron) are about 3% for SD, and in excess of 10% for the MODIS system. In this paper, we will present our degradation analysis results and discuss their impact on the reflective solar bands' on-orbit calibration.

Xiong, X.↗

Degradation of MODIS Optics During the First Year of On-Orbit Operation

The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) sensor on the NASA EOS (Earth Observing System) Terra spacecraft has completed more than one year of on-orbit operation since the instrument opened its Nadir door for the scene data collection on 24 February 2000. Its 20 reflective solar bands, from VIS (visible) to SWIR (shortwavelength infrared) (0.41 to 2.1 micron), are calibrated on-orbit by a solar diffuser (SD) and a solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM). Degradation in the reflective solar bands has been observed in the reflectance of the on board solar diffuser and for the MODIS optics. Variations in degradation of up to 3% are evident between the two sides of the MODIS scan mirror. Degradation of the SD is tracked with the solar diffuser stability monitor, and degradation of the entire MODIS system is tracked by SD observations, adjusted for SD changes. Overall degradation at the shortest wavelengths (near 400 nm) are up to 3% for SD, and in excess of 10% for the MODIS system. Degradation of the SD and full MODIS system for the sensor's reflective solar bands will be described in this report.

Guenther, B.↗

Validating the use of Satellite SAR for Measuring Small-Scale Surface Wind Variations

We present aircraft measurements of near-surface atmospheric boundary layer roll signatures and radar-derived sea surface roughness. The open-ocean data were collected at an altitude of 20 m using NOAA's Long-EZ aircraft. In addition, the flight was coincident with a RADARSAT SAR overpass where presumed boundary layer roll impacts are prevalent in the SAR backscatter image. The Long-EZ air and sea data are completely coincident in space and time and this unique feature allows us to validate the supposed link between SAR backscatter signatures and organized large eddy surface impacts. We find remarkable correlation between measured modulations in the along-wind component of wind speed and radar backscatter for the atmospheric eddy scale of 1 to 1.5 km. Close agreement between normalized modulation amplitudes suggests the radar-inferred surface slope variance is changing linearly with wind speed. Implications for SAR usage in coastal regions and for boundary layer study will be discussed.

Vandemark, Douglas↗

An analysis of errors in special sensor microwave imager evaporation estimates over the global oceans

The method proposed by Liu (1984) is used to estimate monthly averaged evaporation over the global oceans from 1 yr of special sensor microwave imager (SDSM/I) data. Intercomparisons involving SSM/I and in situ data are made over a wide range of oceanic conditions during August 1987 and February 1988 to determine the source of errors in the evaporation estimates. The most significant spatially coherent evaporation errors are found to come from estimates of near-surface specific humidity, q. Systematic discrepancies of over 2 g/kg are found in the tropics, as well as in the middle and high latitudes. The q errors are partitioned into contributions from the parameterization of q in terms of the columnar water vapor, i.e., the Liu q/W relationship, and from the retrieval algorithm for W. The effects of W retrieval errors are found to be smaller over most of the global oceans and due primarily to the implicitly assumed vertical structures of temperature and specific humidity on which the physically based SSM/I retrievals of W are based.

Esbensen, S. K.↗

VLSI Architecture For Viterbi Decoder

"Pipeline" architecture developed for very-large-scale integrated (VLSI) Viterbi decoding circuits for binary convolutional codes of large constraint lengths. In scheme, single sequential processor computes path metrics in trellis diagram (diagram in which paths and nodes represent possible sequences of code states and in which metrics indicate relative likelihoods of sequences). Systolic-array method used to store path information as well as to choose path with best metric. VLSI Viterbi-decoder architecture is compromise between speed and complexity. Size of decoding circuit increases approximately linearly with constraint length of code, and additional circuit chips added with moderate numbers of interconnections.

Hsu, In-Shek↗

Effect of transverse velocity and temperature gradients on sound attenuation in two-dimensional ducts

An investigation is described of the effect of transverse mean-velocity and temperature gradients on sound attenuation in acoustically treated two-dimensional ducts. The results show that cooling the duct walls leads to channeling the sound toward the walls for both downstream and upstream propagation. The effect of mean-temperature gradients on the attenuation rates of the lowest three modes can be as important as the effect of mean-velocity gradients.

Nayfeh, A. H.↗