Radiometric calibration of multispectral airborne video systems

This paper describes the operational characteristics and radiometric calibr ation of the Multispectral Airborne Video System (MAVS) at Charles Sturt Un iversity. The system consists of an array of four high-resolution Charge-Co upled Device (CCD) cameras, each with a narrow band filter. The four channe ls of image data are digitised in real time using a data acquisition system , which also provides for continuous interactive viewing while the system i s in operation. The characteristics of system performance, the results of a perture calibration and the results of system radiometric calibration are p resented. The video imaging system is found to have a highly linear respons e. The differences of the radiance based and reflectance based system calib ration curves are investigated through a newly developed radiometric calibr ation model. As a result of this, a method for calculation of atmospheric o ptical thickens is presented. Calibrated imagery from this system is now be ing used routinely for remote monitoring of land and water.