Radiometric correction processing of Airbus satellite imagery

What is radiometric processing

Basic

Reflectance

Display

Surface Reflectance

Basemaps

For satellite imagery users, radiometric correction is essential to obtain reliable measurements of the Earth’s surface. It corrects for distortions in the pixel values caused by factors such as sensor noise, variations in detector sensitivity, and atmospheric interference. Airbus offers four levels of radiometric correction to meet the specific needs of different analysis.

What is radiometric processing?

Radiometric processing is the process of correcting satellite imagery to accurately represent surface conditions. This includes removing distortions caused by the satellite's sensors and atmospheric effects. Airbus provides four levels of radiometric processing, each tailored to different needs. Here’s an overview of what each level offers:

Radiometric processing basic

Basic radiometric correction of satellite images

Basic radiometric processing addresses basic sensor-related issues and electronic noise. This level provides raw image data with general light measurements adjusted for basic distortions.

Key use-cases:

Initial analysis: Suitable for preliminary studies where detailed accuracy is not critical
General visualisation: Ideal for straightforward visual displays where exact radiometric precision is less important

Reflectance radiometric processing

Reflectance radiometric processing includes partial atmospheric corrections to provide a more accurate representation of how light is reflected from the Earth's surface under typical conditions.

Key use-cases:

Environmental monitoring: Enhances accuracy for studies on surface reflectance
Preliminary data analysis: Provides improved data quality for initial reviews

Display radiometric processing

Display Radiometric Processing converts processed data into an RGB format for visual display, optimising colours and reducing file size. This processing is irreversible and is intended for visual interpretation rather than detailed analysis.

Key use-cases:

Media and presentations: Useful for creating visuals for reports and presentations
Public communication: Ideal for generating clear and visually appealing images for non-technical audiences

Comparison between Display and Surface reflectance processing.

Comparison between Display (image on left) and Surface reflectance (image on right) processing.

Surface reflectance processing: Atmospheric corrections thanks to dehazing

This advanced processing level, available according to project needs, performs a full correction of atmospheric distortions, including those caused by aerosols, haze, particulates, etc., resulting in highly accurate surface reflectance values. It adjusts for a range of atmospheric conditions, ensuring the most accurate data for detailed analysis.

Key use-cases:

Precision mapping: Essential for detailed environmental studies and urban planning
Time-series analysis: Best for tracking changes over time with high accuracy

Discover more about dehazing

Example of a basemap of Mallorca island with Sentinel-2

The importance of radiometric correction for basemaps and change detection

Radiometric correction is crucial when creating large imagery basemaps or performing change detection across multiple images. Images from different dates and conditions can vary significantly due to atmospheric effects and sensor discrepancies. Accurate radiometric processing ensures that these variations are minimised, providing consistent data for the creation of seamless mosaics and reliable change detection analysis. This is essential for applications such as monitoring environmental change, urban development, and land use over time.

Selecting the appropriate level of radiometric correction for satellite images

Understanding the different levels of radiometric processing helps in selecting the right type of image for specific needs. Whether requiring basic adjustments or advanced processing for detailed analysis, Airbus offers solutions to meet various requirements. Accurate radiometric correction is essential for ensuring reliable data for seamless mosaics and effective change detection.

Want to learn more?

Download our whitepaper to learn more about Airbus satellite imagery, more details on the processing options, and how OneAtlas helps automate these workflows.

Download the whitepaper