Ground truthing provides the ability to calibrate hyperspectral images for atmospheric correction and sensor calibration. SPECTRAL EVOLUTION designs and manufactures field portable spectroradiometers, spectrometers and accessories to make calibration of reflectance for an image easier, more reliable, and more accurate.
SPECTRAL EVOLUTION’S spectrometers and spectroradiometers are single point systems that cover the full VNIR and SWIR spectral range from 350-2500nm. Remote sensing models include the SR-6500, RS-8800, NaturaSpec™, PSR+, and RS-3500. These instruments are designed for field use – rugged design and construction, no moving parts, lightweight and powered by lithium-ion batteries. Our instruments deliver better spectral resolution, signal to noise and spatial resolution capabilities than hyperspectral imaging cameras.
In the field they are used to calibrate hyperspectral images for reflectance and radiance. Reflectance calibration uses measurements of ground reflectance of a target – either a calibrated target or just a uniform surface like a desert or a parking lot. This measurement calibrates the whole image for reflectance.
Radiance is measured at ground reflectance points that match to satellite images. These measurements capture the “true” radiance at the ground that corresponds to a pixel in the image captured by the hyperspectral sensor. Radiance is the intensity of light energy from the sun reflecting off the earth and traveling through the atmosphere to the sensors in the satellite. Radiance measurements can be used to model the atmosphere. The difference between the ground radiance and the radiance acquired from the satellite image indicates what is being absorbed by the atmosphere. Radiometric calibration ensures radiance and its intensity are correct in the satellite image.
Our field portable spectrometers and spectroradiometers deliver measurements that can also be used as ground truthing datasets to validate the data produced by hyperspectral imaging systems. Areas in satellite images of low spatial or spectral resolution can be more closely inspected in greater detail using field data from a field portable spectroradiometer.
In situ measurements can also compensate for sun angle effects and specular reflectance variances in airborne measurements. Ground truthing can provide a true measurement of a research area.
Reflectance scan and scan of grass in DARWin SP Data Acquisition software multiplot window.
Calibrating hyperspectral images can be done with our field spectroradiometers such as the SR-6500, NaturaSpec™, RS-8800, PSR+ and RS-3500.
