Title :
On-Orbit Noise Characterization for MODIS Reflective Solar Bands
Author :
Xiong, Xiaoxiong ; Angal, Amit ; Xie, Xiaobo
Author_Institution :
GSFC, Sci. & Exploration Directorate, NASA, Greenbelt, MD
Abstract :
MODIS collects data in 36 spectral bands, with wavelengths from 0.41 to 14.4 mum, and at three nadir spatial resolutions: 0.25 km, 0.5 km, and 1 km. MODIS reflective solar bands (RSB) on-orbit calibration is performed using an on-board solar diffuser (SD) and a solar diffuser stability monitor (SDSM). In addition to calibration coefficients, the SD observations are used to characterize detector signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). Due to spacecraft movement, the SD panel solar illumination angles change continually. Consequently, each detector´s response to the SD varies continuously with the solar illumination onto the SD, enabling its SNR to be determined at different responses or signal levels. On-orbit results show that both Terra and Aqua MODIS RSB detectors have performed well since launch. Except for a few noisy and inoperable detectors identified pre-launch, most RSB detectors continue to meet the SNR requirements.
Keywords :
atmospheric radiation; calibration; geophysical techniques; remote sensing; sunlight; Aqua MODIS RSB detectors; MODIS data collection; MODIS reflective solar bands; Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer; Terra detectors; detector signal-to-noise ratios; nadir spatial resolutions; on-orbit calibration; on-orbit noise characterization; solar diffuser stability monitor; solar illumination angles; spacecraft movement; spectral bands; sunlight; wavelength 0.41 mum to 14.4 mum; Calibration; Earth Observing System; Infrared detectors; Lighting; MODIS; NASA; Radiometry; Reflectivity; Space vehicles; Stability; Characterization; MODIS; SNR;
Conference_Titel :
Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, 2008. IGARSS 2008. IEEE International
Conference_Location :
Boston, MA
Print_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2807-6
Electronic_ISBN :
978-1-4244-2808-3
DOI :
10.1109/IGARSS.2008.4779978
