A simplified method for retrieval of ground level reflectance of targets from airborne video imagery

This paper describes an efficient method for retrieval of ground reflectance characteristics of targets from calibrated multispectral airborne video data for routine operational airborne missions. The method uses a simplified atmospheric scattering model in combination with a dark-object subtraction procedure to estimate the effect of the atmosphere in the path between the target and the sensor, as well as the adjacent environmental effect, on the radiation signal received by an airborne sensor. The simplicity of the atmospheric scattering model is maintained by the assumption that the air density within the targetsensor path in the lower atmosphere is sufficiently uniform for operations of the Charles Sturt University's (CSU) Multispectral Airborne Video System (MAVS). The MAVS acquires imagery in blue, green, red and near-infrared (NIR) narrow spectral bands. The MAVS is radiometrically calibrated and has a consistent radiometric response in-flight. An important feature of the new method is the coupling...