Comparison Of Radiative Transfer Models Used To Determine Atmospheric Optical Parameters From Space

Alain Royer; Norman T. O'neill; Anthony Davis; Laurent Hubert

doi:10.1117/12.975623

24 August 1988 Comparison Of Radiative Transfer Models Used To Determine Atmospheric Optical Parameters From Space

Alain Royer, Norman T. O'neill, Anthony Davis, Laurent Hubert

Proceedings Volume 0928, Modeling of the Atmosphere; (1988) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975623
Event: 1988 Technical Symposium on Optics, Electro-Optics, and Sensors, 1988, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

An array of models and techniques exist for the calculation of the atmospheric backscattered radiance and ground reflected radiance received at satellite altitudes. In remote sensing applications, where one deals in mega-byte units of data, it is essential that these models be computationally fast while retaining a reasonable degree of accuracy. We have evaluated a number of such models (Lowtran 6, Turner, Discrete ordinates method, 5S) relative to an accurate multiple scattering, multi-layer (Dave) model in order to assess the performance of these models in an inversion scheme for aerosol optical depth. The Turner and single scatter Lowtran 6 models generally produced large errors in apparent reflectance. Overall, the Turner model was not significantly better than the Lowtran 6 model except at near nadir geometries and non zero albedos. The 5S model which is orders of magnitude more rapid than the DOM model was significantly more accurate than the L6 and Turner models. The accuracy of the inversion procedures for the extraction of aerosol optical depth from satellite apparent reflectance was then analyzed for the two most precise models (DOM and 5S). For typical measurement conditions, the 5S inversion errors were found to be of the order of .1 in a turbid atmosphere case (aerosol optical depth approximately .5). The DOM produced the most impressive results in terms of comparisons with the Dave computations. It's time of execution, however, is a serious constraint with respect to satellite remote sensing applications.

Citation Download Citation

Alain Royer, Norman T. O'neill, Anthony Davis, and Laurent Hubert "Comparison Of Radiative Transfer Models Used To Determine Atmospheric Optical Parameters From Space", Proc. SPIE 0928, Modeling of the Atmosphere, (24 August 1988); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975623

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available