Improved Algorithm to Estimate All-Sky Shortwave Net Radiation Based on Top-of-Atmosphere Albedo

Shortwave net radiation (SWNR) serves as the vital variable of radiative energy balance and plays a key parameter in global climate, hydrological, and land surface process models. Solar zenith angle (SZA), PWC, DEM, aerosol optical depth (AOD), TOA albedo, and aerosol type are the key factors for es...

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Main Authors: Gaofeng Wang, Tianxing Wang, Wanchun Leng, Pei Yu, Xuewei Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing
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Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10964711/
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author Gaofeng Wang
Tianxing Wang
Wanchun Leng
Pei Yu
Xuewei Yan
author_facet Gaofeng Wang
Tianxing Wang
Wanchun Leng
Pei Yu
Xuewei Yan
author_sort Gaofeng Wang
collection DOAJ
description Shortwave net radiation (SWNR) serves as the vital variable of radiative energy balance and plays a key parameter in global climate, hydrological, and land surface process models. Solar zenith angle (SZA), PWC, DEM, aerosol optical depth (AOD), TOA albedo, and aerosol type are the key factors for estimating SWNR, and it is necessary to fully consider them. In the study, TOA albedo is estimated using MODIS data. An improved scheme is proposed for estimating SWNR by establishing a relationship between TOA albedo and SWNR based on SZA, PWC, DEM, and AOD parameters under different atmospheric conditions. The improved model is assessed using MODTRAN simulation data, ground measurements, and comparative analysis with Wang-2024, Tang-2006, and CERES single scanner footprint (SSF) product. The results demonstrate that the superior theoretical precision of the improved scheme, based on MODTRAN simulation data, significantly outperforms the existing methods, achieving bias and RMSE of less than 1 and 21 W/m², respectively. For rural aerosol, ground-based verification further revealed that the improved algorithm and Wang-2024 deliver superior accuracy for all-sky (bias<4.6 W/m² and RMSE<82 W/m²). Notably, the improved algorithm performed the highest accuracy for urban aerosol type (bias = 1.8 W/m² and RMSE = 69.8 W/m²), effectively resolving the underestimation issue of Wang-2024 and overestimation by Tang-2006 and CERES SSF. In addition, the improved algorithm demonstrates enhanced performance across varying AOD ranges. When AOD exceeds 0.7, the improved algorithm resolves the significant overestimation (25–85 W/m²) of the existing algorithms and CERES SSF. For AOD values below 0.7, the improved algorithm maintains its superior accuracy. Furthermore, the improved algorithm enables more detailed and precise mapping of SWNR with higher spatial resolution. With advancements in theoretical accuracy and broader applicability, the improved algorithm is expected to serve a pivotal role in diverse application scenarios as remote sensing technologies continue to evolve.
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spelling doaj-art-b91832d6c28e443a939e6f2835afa44c2025-08-20T03:48:43ZengIEEEIEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing1939-14042151-15352025-01-0118110601107710.1109/JSTARS.2025.356083410964711Improved Algorithm to Estimate All-Sky Shortwave Net Radiation Based on Top-of-Atmosphere AlbedoGaofeng Wang0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8160-4647Tianxing Wang1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8997-7197Wanchun Leng2Pei Yu3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4041-4681Xuewei Yan4https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5280-6469School of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaSchool of Geospatial Engineering and Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, ChinaShortwave net radiation (SWNR) serves as the vital variable of radiative energy balance and plays a key parameter in global climate, hydrological, and land surface process models. Solar zenith angle (SZA), PWC, DEM, aerosol optical depth (AOD), TOA albedo, and aerosol type are the key factors for estimating SWNR, and it is necessary to fully consider them. In the study, TOA albedo is estimated using MODIS data. An improved scheme is proposed for estimating SWNR by establishing a relationship between TOA albedo and SWNR based on SZA, PWC, DEM, and AOD parameters under different atmospheric conditions. The improved model is assessed using MODTRAN simulation data, ground measurements, and comparative analysis with Wang-2024, Tang-2006, and CERES single scanner footprint (SSF) product. The results demonstrate that the superior theoretical precision of the improved scheme, based on MODTRAN simulation data, significantly outperforms the existing methods, achieving bias and RMSE of less than 1 and 21 W/m², respectively. For rural aerosol, ground-based verification further revealed that the improved algorithm and Wang-2024 deliver superior accuracy for all-sky (bias<4.6 W/m² and RMSE<82 W/m²). Notably, the improved algorithm performed the highest accuracy for urban aerosol type (bias = 1.8 W/m² and RMSE = 69.8 W/m²), effectively resolving the underestimation issue of Wang-2024 and overestimation by Tang-2006 and CERES SSF. In addition, the improved algorithm demonstrates enhanced performance across varying AOD ranges. When AOD exceeds 0.7, the improved algorithm resolves the significant overestimation (25–85 W/m²) of the existing algorithms and CERES SSF. For AOD values below 0.7, the improved algorithm maintains its superior accuracy. Furthermore, the improved algorithm enables more detailed and precise mapping of SWNR with higher spatial resolution. With advancements in theoretical accuracy and broader applicability, the improved algorithm is expected to serve a pivotal role in diverse application scenarios as remote sensing technologies continue to evolve.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10964711/Aerosol optical depth (AOD)digital elevation modeMODISperceptible water content (PWC)shortwave net radiation (SWNR)solar zenith angle (SZA)
spellingShingle Gaofeng Wang
Tianxing Wang
Wanchun Leng
Pei Yu
Xuewei Yan
Improved Algorithm to Estimate All-Sky Shortwave Net Radiation Based on Top-of-Atmosphere Albedo
IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing
Aerosol optical depth (AOD)
digital elevation mode
MODIS
perceptible water content (PWC)
shortwave net radiation (SWNR)
solar zenith angle (SZA)
title Improved Algorithm to Estimate All-Sky Shortwave Net Radiation Based on Top-of-Atmosphere Albedo
title_full Improved Algorithm to Estimate All-Sky Shortwave Net Radiation Based on Top-of-Atmosphere Albedo
title_fullStr Improved Algorithm to Estimate All-Sky Shortwave Net Radiation Based on Top-of-Atmosphere Albedo
title_full_unstemmed Improved Algorithm to Estimate All-Sky Shortwave Net Radiation Based on Top-of-Atmosphere Albedo
title_short Improved Algorithm to Estimate All-Sky Shortwave Net Radiation Based on Top-of-Atmosphere Albedo
title_sort improved algorithm to estimate all sky shortwave net radiation based on top of atmosphere albedo
topic Aerosol optical depth (AOD)
digital elevation mode
MODIS
perceptible water content (PWC)
shortwave net radiation (SWNR)
solar zenith angle (SZA)
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10964711/
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AT wanchunleng improvedalgorithmtoestimateallskyshortwavenetradiationbasedontopofatmospherealbedo
AT peiyu improvedalgorithmtoestimateallskyshortwavenetradiationbasedontopofatmospherealbedo
AT xueweiyan improvedalgorithmtoestimateallskyshortwavenetradiationbasedontopofatmospherealbedo