The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences
Download
Publications Copernicus
Download
Citation
Articles | Volume XLII-5
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-5-913-2018
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLII-5-913-2018
27 Nov 2018
 | 27 Nov 2018

ESTABLISHMENT OF VICARIOUS CALIBRATION/VALIDATION FACILITY FOR SPACE BORNE HIGH AND MID RESOLUTION OPTICAL SENSORS

B. Santhi Sree, N. Raghavender, K. S. Raju, D. Chandrasekaran, B. Gopala Krishna, and A. S. Kumar

Keywords: Vicarious calibration, Absolute radiometric calibration, Calibration/Validation (Cal/Val) site, Shadnagar, LSF (Line Spread Function), MTF (Modulation Transfer Function)

Abstract. Vicarious calibration refers to methods that make use of “invariant” natural targets of the Earth for the post-launch calibration of sensors. This process of calibration is useful for initial phase orbit operation of sensor and thereafter for validation during its operational span. This method of periodic evaluation of radiometric and geometric performance of the space-borne optical sensors and validation of derived radiance/reflectance is to ensure availability of consistent and accurate data products to the user community. This paper describes one such Cal/Val facility’s design, engineering aspects and realization at National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Shadnagar. The target materials used for filling the Cal/Val site are studied for its reflectance. These targets have reflectance ranging from 9% to 53%, in the VNIR (Visible and Near Infra-Red) region. This paper also describes instruments used for calibration and homogeneity studies of targets for its invariance since operationalisation (January 2016). The last section of this paper is about reflectance based absolute radiometric calibration of medium resolution Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) sensor (Resourcesat and Cartosat series) using RT model and edge based LSF/MTF estimation of high resolution sensor carried out using the Cal/Val facility.