Aerosol Parameter Estimation Using Single Calibration Reference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining aerosol parameters in the atmosphere from imagery require multiple calibration references, making it difficult to accurately estimate background reflectance and visibility, especially in scenarios where identifying multiple calibration references is challenging.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that uses predefined aerosol types characterized by known parameters and a single calibration reference to estimate visibility and background reflectance, simplifying the process by selecting the aerosol that best matches measured radiances through a chi-square fitting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple calibration references are used to estimate aerosol parameters, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the difficulty of identifying multiple calibration references in a typical scene
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using only one calibration reference instead of the typically required multiple references. The method selectively identifies a single calibration reference in the scene and uses it in combination with predefined aerosol types to estimate aerosol parameters, achieving sufficient measurement precision without the operational complexity of finding multiple references.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter approach by introducing predefined aerosol types with known parameters (extinction coefficient, absorption coefficient, asymmetry factor) as fixed inputs. This allows the system to work with a single calibration reference by constraining the aerosol parameter space, thereby reducing the number of unknowns that would otherwise require multiple calibration references to solve.
2Reliability
If multiple calibration references are required, then reliability of aerosol parameter estimation is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to the time-consuming process of locating multiple references
Solution Approach 1:
The method uses partial action by requiring only one calibration reference instead of multiple references, significantly reducing the time needed to locate and process calibration data while maintaining acceptable reliability through the use of predefined aerosol types and chi-square fitting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining aerosol types with known parameters before the actual measurement process. This preprocessing step creates a library of aerosol models that can be quickly matched to observed radiances, eliminating the need to solve for aerosol parameters from scratch and thereby speeding up the overall processing while maintaining reliability.
3Measurement precision
If an unregularized method with multiple calibration references is used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to the requirement of at least as many calibration references as parameters to estimate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter estimation approach by fixing aerosol parameters to predefined types, thereby reducing the number of unknown parameters from multiple (requiring multiple calibration references) to a smaller set that can be determined from a single calibration reference combined with radiance measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The predefined aerosol types serve as universal models that can be applied across different scenes and conditions. By using these pre-characterized aerosol models, the system achieves parameter estimation with a single calibration reference, effectively making the method universally applicable without requiring scene-specific multiple references.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for accurate estimation of aerosol parameters and background reflectance with just one calibration reference, improving the chances of success and simplifying the process compared to other in-scene methods.
Implementation Method 1
Aerosols that are present in the earth's atmosphere affect propagation of electromagnetic radiation in at least the visible and near infrared parts of the spectrum
Implementation Method 2
Aerosols that are present in the earth's atmosphere affect propagation of electromagnetic radiation in at least the visible and near infrared parts of the spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method and apparatus estimate background reflectance, aerosol type and visibility within a multispectral imagery using the measured spectral radiance of one or more calibration targets of known reflectance and the measured radiance of the background of the target. The computer implemented method and apparatus uses predefined aerosol types, characterized by a plurality of known parameters, and the known reflectance of the one or more calibration targets, to select an aerosol that best matches the measured radiances.