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On-Orbit Noise Characterization of MODIS Reflective Solar BandsThe Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), launched on the Terra and Aqua spacecrafts, was designed to collect complementary and comprehensive measurements of the Earth's properties on a global scale. The 20 reflective solar bands (RSBs), covering a wavelength range from 0.41 to 2.1 micrometers, are calibrated on-orbit using regularly scheduled solar diffuser (SD) observations. Although primarily used for on-orbit gain derivation, the SD observations also facilitate the characterization of the detector signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In addition to the calibration requirement of 2% for the reflectance factors and 5% for the radiances, the required SNRs are also specified for all RSB at their typical scene radiances. A methodology to characterize the on-orbit SNR for the MODIS RSB is presented. Overall performance shows that a majority of the RSB continue to meet the specification, therefore performing well. A temporal decrease in the SNR, observed in the short-wavelength bands, is attributed primarily to the decrease in their detector responses. With the exception of the inoperable and noisy detectors in band 6 identified prelaunch, the detectors of AquaMODIS RSB perform better than TerraMODIS. The approach formulated for on-orbit SNR characterization can also be used by other sensors that use on-board SDs for their on-orbit calibration (e.g., Suomi National Polar-Orbiting Partnership [SNPP]-Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite).
Document ID
20150021874
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Angal, Amit
(Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Lanham, MD, United States)
Xiong, Xiaoxiong
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Sun, Junqiang
(Global Science and Technology, Inc. Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Geng, Xu
(Science Systems and Applications, Inc. Lanham, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
November 25, 2015
Publication Date
October 6, 2015
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Applied Remote Sensing
Publisher: SPIE
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Subject Category
Instrumentation And Photography
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN27533
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG15HQ01C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
Reflective
MODIS
solar bands

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