Abstract
We have developed a new calibration method that is easier to understand than the historical attenuator method used in VIIRS pre-launch reflective band calibration by separating the determination of the attenuator's transmittance from the fitting of a detector's calibration coefficients. Other than straightforward to understand, the new method brings benefits that are not available using the historical method. For example, the non-linear fitting is eliminated for a quadratic calibration equation, and instead of trusting some standard routines and hidden assumptions in the historical method which is often used as a black box, every step in the new method is explicit and easy to visualize. In addition, the influence of individual data point can be examined, making the new method a more useful tool. This presentation demonstrates some of the benefits of the new attenuator method using the VIIRS J1 pre-launch test data. Some sensitivity tests are also discussed.
Benefits of an Explicit Calibration Procedure for VIIRS Reflective Solar Bands
We have developed a new calibration method that is easier to understand than the historical attenuator method used in VIIRS pre-launch reflective band calibration by separating the determination of the attenuator's transmittance from the fitting of a detector's calibration coefficients. Other than straightforward to understand, the new method brings benefits that are not available using the historical method. For example, the non-linear fitting is eliminated for a quadratic calibration equation, and instead of trusting some standard routines and hidden assumptions in the historical method which is often used as a black box, every step in the new method is explicit and easy to visualize. In addition, the influence of individual data point can be examined, making the new method a more useful tool. This presentation demonstrates some of the benefits of the new attenuator method using the VIIRS J1 pre-launch test data. Some sensitivity tests are also discussed.