Radiometry 101: Calibrating With Diffuse Reflecting Targets

Remote sensing observation of real targets using broadband, RGB, multispectral, or hyperspectral imaging instruments on small platform drones and UAVs requires proper calibrations to achieve quantifiable results. Many systems still use factory calibrations to mea- sure radiance and do not baseline fundamental instrument performance for the actual sunlight illumination, geographic location, and atmospheric conditions in which they are used. Without proper calibration, the remote sensing platform will not collect accurate radiometric data.