Simulation of atmospheric radiation transfer for high-resolution thermal infrared imaging

The consistent end-to-end simulation of them is an important task, sometimes the only way for the adaptation and optimisation of a sensor and its observation conditions, the choice and test of algorithms for data processing, error estimation and the evaluation of the capabilities of the whole sensor system. It is essential to accomplish simulation of atmospheric radiative transfer, if a complete imaging simulating system is to be expected. Based on given resolution and directional capabilities of the instrument, and combination with land surface temperature and emissivity data obtained from airborne imagery, TOA (top of atmosphere) radiance images have been simulated pixel by pixel coupling the atmospheric radiative transfer analytic model extended from MODTRAN4 and the atmospheric adjacency effect model derived from point spread function (for atmospheric directional and adjacency effect). In this way, all major scattering and emission contribution of atmosphere were considered. Through analysing results, it indicates that analytic model and adjacency effect model is more adequate for thermal infrared imaging simulation than others existing models.