DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF A SPECTRO-POLARIMETER FOR GROUND TRUTH DATA-COLLECTION

A spectro-polarimeter operating in ten spectral bands in the visible a nd near-IR range has been designed and developed for the measurement o f Stokes parameters of reflected radiation from the terrain surfaces u nder in situ conditions. The radiometric performance and the data qual ity of the unit have been evaluated and explained. The instrument was extensively used in the field for the collection of spectral signature s of wheat canopies. The unit was also used in the laboratory. All spe ctral bands were found to be useful for the measurement of absolute va lues of spectral irradiance and spectral radiance, while bands 1-8 wer e found to be useful for the measurement of polarization. This article describes the design features and specifications and gives a typical set of field observations.