Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “radiometric calibration”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 199 records · Page 11
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1991

Calibration of passive remote observing optical and microwave instrumentation; Proceedings of the Meeting, Orlando, FL, Apr. 3-5, 1991

Various papers on the calibration of passive remote observing optical and microwave instrumentation are presented. Individual topics addressed include: on-board calibration device for a wide field-of-view instrument, calibration for the medium-resolution imaging spectrometer, cryogenic radiometers and intensity-stabilized lasers for EOS radiometric calibrations, radiometric stability of the Shuttle-borne solar backscatter ultraviolet spectrometer, ratioing radiometer for use with a solar diffuser, requirements of a solar diffuser and measurements of some candidate materials, reflectance stability analysis of Spectralon diffuse calibration panels, stray light effects on calibrations using a solar diffuser, radiometric calibration of SPOT 23 HRVs, surface and aerosol models for use in radiative transfer codes. Also addressed are: calibrated intercepts for solar radiometers used in remote sensor calibration, radiometric calibration of an airborne multispectral scanner, in-flight calibration of a helicopter-mounted Daedalus multispectral scanner, technique for improving the calibration of large-area sphere sources, remote colorimetry and its applications, spatial sampling errors for a satellite-borne scanning radiometer, calibration of EOS multispectral imaging sensors and solar irradiance variability.

Guenther, Bruce W.↗
NASA NTRS2019

Independent Calibration Approach for the CLARREO Pathfinder Mission

A CLARREO (Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory) Pathfinder (CPF) mission has been funded to demonstrate retrieval of SI-traceable spectral reflectance with absolute uncertainty <0.3% (k=1). The mission consists of a Reflected Solar spectrometer that will be hosted on the International Space Station (ISS) in the 2023 timeframe and rely on a ratioing radiometer approach to retrieve the unprecedented accuracy. Demonstrating that the accuracy is achieved through an Independent Calibration effort similar in philosophy to the efforts in metrology laboratories relying on multiple, independent measurements to improve credibility for a sensor’s absolute and relative uncertainty error budgets. These measurements use different traceability paths and multiple instrument approaches and CPF’s Independent Calibration will be similar in this regard. The Independent Calibration relies on a pre-launch absolute radiometric calibration obtained from additional testing done after instrument thermal-vacuum (TVAC) testing. The added radiometric calibration is combined with a high fidelity instrument model to provide an on-orbit radiometric calibration independent from the ratioing radiometer approach. The current work describes the post-TVAC testing portion of the CPF Independent Calibration Plan and the Independent Model Development as well as planned on-orbit Evaluation of the Independent Calibration.

CLARREO Pathfinder↗
NASA NTRS1986

Spectroradiometric considerations for advanced land observing systems

Research aimed at improving the inflight absolute radiometric calibration of advanced land observing systems was initiated. Emphasis was on the satellite sensor calibration program at White Sands. Topics addressed include: absolute radiometric calibration of advanced remote sensing; atmospheric effects on reflected radiation; inflight radiometric calibration; field radiometric methods for reflectance and atmospheric measurement; and calibration of field relectance radiometers.

Slater, P. N.↗
NASA NTRS2010

Results and Lessons from a Decade of Terra MODIS On-Orbit Spectral Characterization

Since its launch in December 1999, the NASA EOS Terra MODIS has successfully operated for more than a decade. MODIS makes observations in 36 spectral bands from visible (VIS) to longwave infrared (LWIR) and at three nadir spatial resolutions: 250m (2 bands), 500m (5 bands), and 1km (29 bands). In addition to its on-board calibrators designed for the radiometric calibration, MODIS was built with a unique device, called the spectro-radiometric calibration assembly (SRCA). It can be configured in three different modes: radiometric, spatial, and spectral. When it is operated in the spectral modes, the SRCA can monitor changes in Sensor spectral performance for the VIS and near-infrared (NIR) spectral bands. For more than 10 years, the SRCA operation has continued to provide valuable information for MODIS on-orbit spectral performance. This paper briefly describes SRCA on-orbit operation and calibration activities; it presents decade-long spectral characterization results for Terra MODIS VIS and NIR spectral bands in terms of chances in their center wavelengths (CW) and bandwidths (BW). It is shown that the SRCA on-orbit wavelength calibration capability remains satisfactory. For most spectral bands, the changes in CW and BW are less than 0.5 and 1 nm, respectively. Results and lessons from Terra MODIS on-orbit spectral characterization have and will continue to benefit its successor, Aqua MODIS, and other future missions.

Xiong, X.↗
NASA NTRS2006

Radiometric Characterization Results for the IKONOS, Quickbird, and OrbView-3 Sensor

Radiometric calibration of commercial imaging satellite products is required to ensure that science and application communities better understand commercial imaging satellite properties. Inaccurate radiometric calibrations can lead to erroneous decisions and invalid conclusions and can limit intercomparisons with other systems. To address this calibration need, the NASA Applied Sciences Directorate (ASD) at Stennis Space Center established a commercial satellite imaging radiometric calibration team consisting of three independent groups: NASA ASD, the University of Arizona Remote Sensing Group, and South Dakota State University. Each group independently determined the absolute radiometric calibration coefficients of available high-spatial-resolution commercial 4-band multispectral products, in the visible though near-infrared spectrum, from GeoEye(tradeMark) (formerly SpaceImaging(Registered TradeMark)) IKONOS, DigitalGlobe(Regitered TradeMark) QuickBird, and GeoEye (formerly ORBIMAGE(Registered TradeMark) OrbView. Each team member employed some variant of reflectance-based vicarious calibration approach, requiring ground-based measurements coincident with image acquisitions and radiative transfer calculations. Several study sites throughout the United States that covered a significant portion of the sensor's dynamic range were employed. Satellite at-sensor radiance values were compared to those estimated by each independent team member to evaluate the sensor's radiometric accuracy. The combined results of this evaluation provide the user community with an independent assessment of these sensors' absolute calibration values.

Holekamp, Kara↗
NASA NTRS2004

JACIE Radiometric Assessment of QuickBird Multispectral Imagery

Radiometric calibration of commercial imaging satellite products is required to ensure that science and application communities can place confidence in the imagery they use and can fully understand its properties. Inaccurate radiometric calibrations can lead to erroneous decisions and invalid conclusions and can limit intercomparisons with other systems. To address this calibration need, the NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) Earth Science Applications (ESA) directorate,through the Joint Agency for Commercial Imagery Evaluation (JACIE) framework, established a commercial imaging satellite radiometric calibration team consisting of two groups: 1) NASA SSC ESA, supported by South Dakota State University, and 2) the University of Arizona Remote Sensing Group. The two groups determined the absolute radiometric calibration coefficients of the Digital Globe 4-band, 2.4-m QuickBird multispectral product covering the visible through near-infrared spectral region. For a 2-year period beginning in 2002, both groups employed some variant of a reflectance-based vicarious calibration approach, which required ground-based measurements coincident with QuickBird image acquisitions and radiative transfer calculations. The groups chose several study sites throughout the United States that covered nearly the entire dynamic range of the QuickBird sensor. QuickBird at-sensor radiance values were compared with those estimated by the two independent groups to determine the QuickBird sensor's radiometric accuracy. Approximately 20 at-sensor radiance estimates were vicariously determined each year. The estimates were combined to provide a high-precision radiometric gain calibration coefficient. The results of this evaluation provide the user community with an independent assessment of the QuickBird sensor's absolute calibration and stability over the 2-year period. While the techniques and method described reflect those developed at the NASA SSC, the results of both JACIE team groups are included in this paper.

Pagnutti, Mary↗
NASA NTRS2021

Evaluation of vicarious calibration for airborne sensors using RadCalNet

Vicarious calibration approaches using in-situ measurements are key techniques applied to on-orbit remote sensors. The in-situ measurements have advantages in terms of traceability and quantifiable accuracy that make them ideal for inter-consistency studies of on-orbit sensors. The Committee on Earth Observation Satellites Working Group on Calibration and Validation Infrared Visible Optical Sensors initiated the Radiometric Calibration Network (RadCalNet) to provide automated surface and top-of-atmosphere (TOA) reflectance data from multiple participating ground sites to the worldwide user community. RadCalNet standardizes protocols for collecting data, processes TOA reflectance, and provides International System of Units traceable uncertainty budgets for the five currently operating sites. RadCalNet data from the Railroad Valley Playa, Nevada, site was used to provide an SI-traceable, absolute radiometric calibration of the Enhanced MODIS Airborne Simulator as part of an overflight of opportunity during the FIREX-AQ campaign. The results shown here demonstrate the utility of RadCalNet data for absolute radiometric calibration of airborne imagers making flights of opportunity without the need for coordination with a field validation team.

Sensors↗
NASA NTRS2007

Summary of Terra and Aqua MODIS On-orbit Calibration and Characterization Results

The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) onboard NASA's EOS Terra spacecraft has been in operation for more than seven years since its launch in December 1999 and the MODIS onboard Aqua spacecraft has been in operation for more than 4.5 years since its launch in May 2002. Compared to its heritage sensors, such as AVHRR, CZCS, SeaWiFS, HIRS, and Landsat TM, the MODIS instrument was developed with improved spectral and spatial resolutions, and temporal scale or global coverage frequency. The two MODIS instruments are nearly identical with each collecting data in 36 spectral bands: 20 reflective solar bands (RSB) with center wavelengths from 0.41 to 2.2jm and 16 thermal emissive bands (TEB) from 3.7 to 4.4 microns. MODIS makes the Earth view observations with a scan angle range of +/-55 degree relative to instrument nadir and at three nadir spatial resolutions: 0.25km for bands 1-2.05km for bands 3-7, and 1km for bands 8-36, thus enabling complete global coverage of the Earth in less than 2 days. Both Terra and Aqua MODIS observations have been routinely used to generate a broad range of science data products that are widely distributed and extensively applied for the studies of the Earth's land, oceans, and atmosphere and for the monitoring of climate and environmental changes. It is obvious that the MODIS science data product quality strongly relies on sensor on-orbit performance and its capability of continuously tracking sensor response changes over time. Because of this, each MODIS was built with a comprehensive set of on-board calibrators (OBC) that include a solar diffuser (SD) for the RSB calibration, a blackbody (BB) for the TEB calibration, and a spectro-radiometric calibration assembly (SRCA) for the spatial (RSB and TEB) and spectral (RSB only) characterization. Most importantly, extensive and dedicated sensor calibration and characterization efforts have been constantly made by the MODIS Characterization Support Team (MCST) at NASA/GSFC. In this presentation, we will provide an overview of MODIS sensor operations since 1aunh and the onorbit calibration and characterization methodologies with emphasis on the differences between Terra and Aqua MODIS characteristics. We will summarize both Terra and Aqua MODIS onorbit calibration and characterization results, including their RSB and TEB detector noise characterization, the sensor response changes, and the corrections to the optics degradation. In addition to radiometric calibration performance, we will illustrate both sensors' spectral and spatial characterization results in terms of their band-to-band registrations and spectral band center wavelength shifts.

Xiong, X.↗
NASA NTRS2007

Laboratory-Based BRDF Calibration of Radiometric Tarps

The current study provides the remote sensing community with important high accuracy laboratory-based BRDF calibration of radiometric tarps. The results illustrate the dependence of tarps' weft and warp threads orientation on BRDF. The study was done at incident angles of 0deg, 10deg, and 30deg; scatter zenith angles from 0deg to 60deg, and scatter azimuth angles of 0deg, 45deg, 90deg, 135deg, and 180deg. The wavelengths were 485nm, 550nm, 633nm and 800nm. The dependence is well defined at all measurement geometries and wavelengths. It can be as high as 8% at 0deg incident angle and 2% at 30deg incident angle. The fitted BRDF data show a very small discrepancy from the measured ones. New data on the forward and backscatter properties of radiometric tarps is reported. The backward scatter is well pronounced for the white samples. The black sample has well pronounced forward scatter. The BRDF characterization of radiometric tarps can be successfully extended to other structured surface fabric samples. The results are NIST traceable.

Georgiev, Georgi T.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Thematic mapper flight model preshipment review data package. Volume 3, part B: System data

Procedures and results are presented for performance and systems integration tests of flight model-1 thematic mapper. Aspects considered cover electronic module integration, radiometric calibration, spectral matching, spatial coverage, radiometric calibration of the calibrator, coherent noise, dynamic square wave response, band to band registration, geometric accuracy, and self induced vibration. Thermal vacuum tests, EMI/EMS, and mass properties are included. Liens are summarized.

Source record↗
NASA NTRS2004

MODIS In-flight Calibration Methodologies

MODIS is a key instrument for the NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS) currently operating on the Terra spacecraft launched in December 1999 and Aqua spacecraft launched in May 2002. It is a cross-track scanning radiometer, making measurements over a wide field of view in 36 spectral bands with wavelengths from 0.41 to 14.5 micrometers and providing calibrated data products for science and research communities in their studies of the Earth s system of land, oceans, and atmosphere. A complete suite of on-board calibrators (OBC) have been designed for the instruments in-flight 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 (TEB), and a spectro-radiometric calibration assembly (SRCA) for the spatial (all bands) and spectral (RSB only) characterization. This paper discusses MODIS in-flight Cali bration methodologies of using its on-board calibrators. Challenging issues and examples of tracking and correcting instrument on-orbit response changes are presented, including SD degradation (20% at 412nm, 12% at 466nm, and 7% at 530nm over four and a half years) and response versus scan angle changes (10%, 4%, and 1% differences between beginning of the scan and end of the scan at 412nm, 466nm, and 530nm) in the VIS spectral region. Current instrument performance and lessons learned are also provided.

Xiong, X.↗
NASA NTRS2004

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↗
NASA NTRS1984

Evaluation of the Radiometric Integrity of LANDSAT-4 Thematic Mapper Band 6 Data

An approach for experimentally evaluating the radiometric calibration of the LANDSAT-4 band 6 data is described which draws on a method used to radiometrically calibrate the HCMR data which involved underflying the satellite with an infrared line scanner. By extending this technology to higher altitudes experimental radiance data suitable for radiometric calibration of the TM band 6 sensor can be generated. Repetition of this experiment can permit evaluation of long term drift in the sensor and provide a data base for evaluating atmospheric propagation models for radiation transfer. To date, efforts were concentrated on modifying the infrared line scanner to match the spectral response of the TM band 6 sensor. In addition, the LOWTRAN code corresponding to a satellite overpass of September 1982 was run to yield a plot of transmission and path radiance as a function of altitude.

Schott, J. R.↗
NASA NTRS2017

SNPP VIIRS RSB Earth View Reflectance Uncertainty

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) satellite uses its 14 reflective solar bands to passively collect solar radiant energy reflected off the Earth. The Level 1 product is the geolocated and radiometrically calibrated top-of- the-atmosphere solar reflectance. The absolute radiometric uncertainty associated with this product includes contributions from the noise associated with measured detector digital counts and the radiometric calibration bias. Here, we provide a detailed algorithm for calculating the estimated standard deviation of the retrieved top-of-the-atmosphere spectral solar radiation reflectance.

VIIRS↗
NASA NTRS2020

N20 VIIRS RSB Calibration Algorithms and Results: Collection 2.0

The NOAA-20 (N20) satellite, previously the Joint Polar Satellite System-1 satellite, was launched on November 18, 2017. One of the five major scientific instruments aboard the satellite is the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS). VIIRS scans the Earth’s surface in 22 spectral bands, 14 of which are the reflective solar bands (RSBs) with band center wavelengths from 0.412 to 2.25μm. VIIRS regularly performs on-orbit radiometric calibration of its RSBs, primarily through the observations of the onboard solar diffuser (SD). The on-orbit change of the SD’s bidirectional reflectance distribution function, known as the H-factor, is determined by the onboard SD stability monitor (SDSM). Since the H-factor exhibits angular dependence, obtaining the H-factor along the SD to the telescope direction is a challenge for the NOAA-20 VIIRS. Recently, Collection 2.0 of the NASA Land Science Investigator-led Processing Systems (SIPS) products were released. As a part of this reprocessing effort, we made two major improvements in the N20 VIIRS RSB radiometric calibration. One is the improved SD and SDSM attenuation screen transmittance functions, obtained by using calibration data collected during both the yaw maneuver and a small portion of regular orbits, resulting in a higher quality H-factor for the SDSM view. Another is the use of the H-factor for the telescope view, derived from the H-factor for the SDSM view, by using the results for the SNPP VIIRS. In June 2019, we delivered a set of mission-long N20 VIIRS Collection 2.0 RSB radiometric calibration look-up-tables. These tables have been employed by the NASA Land SIPS group to reprocess the entire time series of the NOAA-20 VIIRS products. In this paper, we discuss the Collection 2.0 NOAA-20 VIIRS RSB calibration algorithms and results.

N20 VIIRS↗
NASA NTRS2014

Comparison of Spectral Radiance Calibration Techniques Used for Backscatter Ultraviolet Satellite Instruments

Methods for determining the absolute radiometric calibration sensitivities of backscatter ultraviolet (BUV) satellite instruments are compared as part of an effort to minimize pre-launch calibration errors. An internally illuminated integrating sphere source has been used for the Shuttle Solar BUV (SSBUV), Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS), Ozone Mapping Instrument (OMI), and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment 2 (GOME-2) using standardized procedures traceable to national standards. These sphere-based sensitivities agree to within three percent [k equals 2] relative to calibrations performed using an external diffuser illuminated by standard irradiance sources, the customary radiance calibration method for BUV instruments. The uncertainty for these calibration techniques as implemented at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Centers Radiometric Calibration and Development Laboratory is shown to be 4 percent at 250nm [k equals 2] when using a single traceable calibration standard. Significant reduction in the uncertainty of nearly 1 percent is demonstrated when multiple calibration standards are used.

residual errors↗
NASA NTRS2020

MODIS TEB Calibration Algorithm Improvements for Future L1B Collection

Terra and Aqua MODIS have provided continuous global observations for scientific applications for more than 20 and 18 years, respectively. The radiometric calibration of the MODIS thermal emissive bands (TEB) is based on a quadratic approximation of the instrument response. The calibration coefficients look-up tables (LUTs) are updated using the response of the MODIS on-board blackbody (BB)with the response background subtracted by space view. The quarterly on-board BB warm-up and cool-down activity temperature ranges from 270 K to 315 K, and the derived offset has a relatively large uncertainty. Electronic cross-talk, an artifact that affects both instrument calibration and Earth view (EV) radiance retrievals, is corrected based on lunar observations. Calibration assessments using EV observations (e.g. ocean, desert, Antarctic Dome Concordia, and deep convective clouds) provide useful information to evaluate the impact of the Terra safe mode (February 2016) and Aqua MODIS formatter reset (January 2018) events on both MODIS instruments. This study focuses on the TEB radiometric calibration algorithm improvements for future collections based on calibration assessments using EV measurements and analytical modeling. Measurement stability and consistency over specific Earth scenes with a wide temperature range, as well as their brightness temperature (BT) dependency, are used for bias estimations in the calibration coefficients. Calibration coefficients are derived and updated after adjusting the current fitting algorithm. Thereafter, using the test LUTs, their impact on the Level 1B (L1B) data for different EV scenes is analyzed.

MODIS↗