Use of Radiative Transfer Model for Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration

This paper describes the benefits of using a microwave radiative transfer model (RTM) to improve the inter-satellite radiometric calibration (XCAL) between two independent satellite microwave radiometers. Because this work was sponsored by the NASA Global Precipitation Mission, the emphasis of this...

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Main Authors: Patrick N. De La Llana, Faisal Bin Kashem, W. Linwood Jones
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/9/1519
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author Patrick N. De La Llana
Faisal Bin Kashem
W. Linwood Jones
author_facet Patrick N. De La Llana
Faisal Bin Kashem
W. Linwood Jones
author_sort Patrick N. De La Llana
collection DOAJ
description This paper describes the benefits of using a microwave radiative transfer model (RTM) to improve the inter-satellite radiometric calibration (XCAL) between two independent satellite microwave radiometers. Because this work was sponsored by the NASA Global Precipitation Mission, the emphasis of this paper is on radiometer channels that are used for atmospheric precipitation retrievals; however, this technique is applicable for microwave remote sensing in general, over a wide range of satellite remote-sensing applications. An XCAL example is presented for the NASA Global Precipitation Mission, whereby the GPM Microwave Imager is used to calibrate another microwave radiometer (TROPICS) within the GPM constellation of satellites. This approach involves intercomparing near-simultaneous measured brightness temperatures from these radiometers viewing a common homogeneous ocean scene. The double difference between observed and theoretical brightness temperature, derived using a radiative transfer model, is used to establish a radiometric calibration offset or bias. On-orbit comparisons are presented for two different approaches, namely, with and without the aid of the RTM. The results demonstrate significant improvements in the XCAL biases derived when using the RTM, and this is especially beneficial when one radiometer produces anomalous brightness temperatures.
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spelling doaj-art-8adedf247c8c4f9c82c78d656d1dc7072025-08-20T02:31:08ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922025-04-01179151910.3390/rs17091519Use of Radiative Transfer Model for Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer CalibrationPatrick N. De La Llana0Faisal Bin Kashem1W. Linwood Jones2Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USADepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USADepartment of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USAThis paper describes the benefits of using a microwave radiative transfer model (RTM) to improve the inter-satellite radiometric calibration (XCAL) between two independent satellite microwave radiometers. Because this work was sponsored by the NASA Global Precipitation Mission, the emphasis of this paper is on radiometer channels that are used for atmospheric precipitation retrievals; however, this technique is applicable for microwave remote sensing in general, over a wide range of satellite remote-sensing applications. An XCAL example is presented for the NASA Global Precipitation Mission, whereby the GPM Microwave Imager is used to calibrate another microwave radiometer (TROPICS) within the GPM constellation of satellites. This approach involves intercomparing near-simultaneous measured brightness temperatures from these radiometers viewing a common homogeneous ocean scene. The double difference between observed and theoretical brightness temperature, derived using a radiative transfer model, is used to establish a radiometric calibration offset or bias. On-orbit comparisons are presented for two different approaches, namely, with and without the aid of the RTM. The results demonstrate significant improvements in the XCAL biases derived when using the RTM, and this is especially beneficial when one radiometer produces anomalous brightness temperatures.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/9/1519radiative transfer modelinter-satellite radiometric calibrationglobal precipitation measurement missionmicrowave remote sensing
spellingShingle Patrick N. De La Llana
Faisal Bin Kashem
W. Linwood Jones
Use of Radiative Transfer Model for Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration
Remote Sensing
radiative transfer model
inter-satellite radiometric calibration
global precipitation measurement mission
microwave remote sensing
title Use of Radiative Transfer Model for Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration
title_full Use of Radiative Transfer Model for Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration
title_fullStr Use of Radiative Transfer Model for Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration
title_full_unstemmed Use of Radiative Transfer Model for Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration
title_short Use of Radiative Transfer Model for Inter-Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration
title_sort use of radiative transfer model for inter satellite microwave radiometer calibration
topic radiative transfer model
inter-satellite radiometric calibration
global precipitation measurement mission
microwave remote sensing
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/17/9/1519
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AT wlinwoodjones useofradiativetransfermodelforintersatellitemicrowaveradiometercalibration