Development of the Global Multispectral Imager Thermal Emissive FCDRs - Satellite-based Applications on Climate Change - page 65

Chapter 5
Development of the Global Multispectral
Imager Thermal Emissive FCDRs

Xianjun Hao and John J. Qu

Abstract Generation of high-quality Climate Data Records (CDRs) is critically
important for more reliable analysis of global climate change. Since each spaceborne
sensor has limited life cycle, integration of remote-sensing measurements from
different sensors is necessary. Differences in spectral response and spatial specifica-
tion of sensors from different missions, as well as variations in calibration and
retrieval algorithms, make it complicated to generate long-term consistent CDRs,
especially the Fundamental Climate Data Records (FCDRs), i.e., calibrated radiance
at top of atmosphere (TOA), which are essential for producing Thematic Climate
Data Records (TCDRs) with consistent algorithms. This chapter presents the band
mapping approach and results of FCDR generation for the thermal infrared bands of
AVHRR and MODIS. Band transfer equations among different versions of AVHRR
and MODIS are identified. Error bounds of band mapping are also analyzed statisti-
cally using global datasets.

Keywords Climate Data Record • Cross-sensor comparison • Consistency • Cali-
bration • Remote sensing

5.1 Introduction

Global climate change has become an urgent and important issue because of its
significant impacts and close relationship with human activities (NRC 2009 ). More
reliable and accurate assessment of global climate change is critical in understand-
ing the complicated changing of the Earth, especially severe weather impacts and
human activities. Long-term high-quality consistent Climate Data Records (CDRs)