NASA/TMm2000-209891, Vol. 92

Technical Report Series on the

Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS)

Forrest G. Hall and Jaime Nickeson, Editors

Volume 92

BOREAS Level-lB TIMS Imagery:

At-sensor Radiance in BSQ Format

Richard Strub and Jeffrey A. Newcomer, Raytheon ITSS

Sonia Chernobiefj-; User Tech. Associates, Inc.

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

September 2000

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20010022244 2018-05-14T14:51:31+00:00Z
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NASA/TMm2000-209891, Vol. 92

Technical Report Series on the

Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS)

Forrest G. Hall and Jaime Nickeson, Editors

Volume 92

BOREAS Level-lB TIMS Imagery:

At-sensor Radiance in BSQ Format

Richard Strub and Jeffrey A. Newcomer, Raytheon ITSS

Sonia Chernobiefj-; User Tech. Associates, Inc.

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

September 2000
NASA Center for AeroSpace Information

7121 Standard Drive

Hanover, MD 21076-1320

Price Code: A17

Available from:

National Technical Information Service

5285 Port Royal Road

Springfield, VA 22161

Price Code: A10
BOREAS Level-lb TIMS Imagery: At-sensor Radiance in BSQ Format

Richard Strub, Jeffrey A. Newcomer, Sonia Chernobieff

Summary

The BOREAS Staff Science Aircraft Data Acquisition Program focused on providing the research

teams with the remotely sensed satellite data products they needed to compare and spatially extend

point results. For BOREAS, the TIMS imagery, along with other aircraft images, was collected to

provide spatially extensive information over the primary study areas. The Level-lb TIMS images cover

the time periods of 16-Apr- 1994 to 20-Apr- 1994 and 06-Sep- 1994 to 17-Sep- 1994. The system

calibrated images are stored in binary image format files.

Note that the Level-lb TIMS data are not contained on the BOREAS CD-ROM set. An inventory

listing file is supplied on the CD-ROM to inform users of the data that were collected. See Section 15

for information about how to acquire actual Level-lb TIMS images.

Table of Contents

1) Data Set Overview

2) Investigator(s)

3) Theory of Measurements

4) Equipment

5) Data Acquisition Methods

6) Observations

7) Data Description

8) Data Organization

9) Data Manipulations

10) Errors

11) Notes

12) Application of the Data Set

13) Future Modifications and Plans

14) Software

15) Data Access

16) Output Products and Availability

17) References

18) Glossary of Terms

19) List of Acronyms

20) Document Information

1. Data Set Overview

1.1 Data Set Identification

BOREAS Level-lb TIMS Imagery: At-sensor Radiance in BSQ Format

1.2 Data Set Introduction

The BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) Staff Science effort covered those activities

that were BOREAS community-level activities or required uniform data collection procedures across

sites and time. These activities included the acquisition, processing, and archiving of 6-band Thermal

Infrared Multispectral Scanner (TIMS) image data collected on the National Aeronautics and Space

Administrator's (NASA's) C-130 aircraft.

Page 1
1.3 Objective/Purpose

ForBOREAS,theTIMS imagery,alongwith theotherremotelysensedimages,wascollectedto

providespatiallyextensiveinformationovertheprimarystudyareas.Thisinformationincludes

detailedlandcover,biophysicalparametermapssuchasfractionofPhotosyntheticallyActive

Radiation(fPAR),LeafAreaIndex(LAI), andsurfacethermalproperties.

1.4 Summary of Parameters

The level- lb TIMS images contain JPL supplied header information and at sensor radiance values

in units of milliwatts/(m2 sr pro) for bands 1 to 6 in a band sequential (BSQ) format.

1.5 Discussion

The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) personnel obtained the original data from NASA Ames

Research Center (ARC) and processed them to the at-sensor radiance product described here. The data

are not corrected for look angle or atmospheric effects.

1.6 Related Data Sets

BOREAS Level-0 TIMS Imagery: Digital Counts in BIL Format

BOREAS Level-2 NS001 TMS Images: Reflectance and Temperatures in BSQ Format

BOREAS Level-lb ASAS Imagery: At-sensor Radiance in BSQ Format

2. Investigator(s)

2.1 Investigator(s) Name and Title

BOREAS Staff" Science

2.2 Title of Investigation

BOREAS Staff Science Aircraft Data Acquisition Program

2.3 Contact Information

Contact 1:

Sonia Chernobieff

NASA JPL

4800 Oak Grove Dr.

MS 183-501

Building: 183, Room: 519

Pasadena, CA 91101

(818) 354-6363

Sonia.I.Chernobieff@jpl.nasa.gov

Contact 2:

Jeffrey A. Newcomer

Raytheon ITSS

NASA GSFC

Code 923

Greenbelt, MD 20771

(301) 286-7858

(301) 286-0239 (fax)

Jeffrey.Newcomer@ gsfc.nasa.gov

Page 2
3. Theory of Measurements

According to Planck's equation, all objects emit radiation, depending on their temperature and

emissivity. The temperature of an object is of interest in determining the radiation balance at Earth's

surface. The emissivity of an object as a function of wavelength can provide information on the

object's composition. Though much of the radiation emitted from an object is absorbed by the

atmosphere, a few good atmospheric windows from 3 to 5 micrometers 0am) and 8 to 14 _am exist for

the remote sensing of emitted surface radiation.

The NASA Earth Resources Aircraft Program at ARC operates the C-130 aircraft to acquire data

for Earth science research. The TIMS instrument used on the C-130 aircraft collects radiance

measurements in six spectral bands covering the infrared spectrum from 8.2 to 12.2 _am.

Thematic considerations have dictated, within technical constraints, the choice of spectral band

position and width in the TIMS sensor. These bands were chosen after many years of analysis for their

value in discrimination of geologic features, and they correspond to the emissivity anomalies

associated with silicate and carbonate rocks.

4. Equipment

4.1 Sensor/Instrument Description

The TIMS instrument is an optomechanical scanner designed to collect multispectral thermal

imagery for geologic mapping. The TIMS is generally flown at medium altitudes and provides 3- to

20-m resolution at nadir at an altitude of 1,200 to 8,000m., respectively. The TIMS is flown aboard

NASA's C-130 aircraft based at the ARC.

The six spectral channels of the TIMS sensor have the following bandpasses:

TIMS Channel Wavelength, _m

i 8.2-8.6

2 8.6-9.0

3 9.0-9.4

4 9.4-10 .2

5 i0 .2-11 .2

6 ii .2-12 .2

4.1.1 Collection Environment

As part of the BOREAS Staff Science Data Collection effort, ARC personnel collected, NASA JPL

personnel calibrated, and BOREAS Information System (BORIS) personnel distributed 6-band

level-lb TIMS image data. The TIMS was flown on NASA's C-130 aircraft during the various

BOREAS missions (see the BOREAS Experiment Plan for flight pattern details and objectives). The

C-130 aircraft flew at nominal altitudes of 3000 and 5000 m during the BOREAS flights.

Maintenance and operation of the instrument are the responsibility of ARC. The C-130

Experimenter's Handbook (supplemental) produced by the Medium Altitude Missions Branch at ARC

provides a description of the instrument, calibration procedures, and data format.

4.1.2 Source/Platform

NASA's C-130 Earth Resources Aircraft.

4.1.3 Source/Platform Mission Objectives

The original purpose of the TIMS scanner was to provide low-altitude data in the thermal infrared

region of the electromagnetic spectrum for use in geologic mapping. For BOREAS, the TIMS was

flown on the C-130 with a set of other scalmers to provide full coverage of the reflected and emitted

surface energy. The C-130 aircraft housed and provided appropriate power and other electronic

Page 3
connectionsfor operationof theTIMS instrument.

4.1.4 Key Variables

Emitted and reflected radiation.

4.1.5 Principles of Operation

Design parameters of the TIMS are based on the specifications of Dr. Anne B. Kahle of the NASA

JPL. A rotating scan mirror scans the instrument's Instantaneous Field of View (IFOV) across track as

the motion of the aircraft moves the sensor along the data collection path.

4.1.6 Sensor/Instrument Measurement Geometry

IFOV 2.5 mrad

Total Scan Angle 76.56 °

Pixels/Scan Line 638

Sensor footprint is l0 x l0 m at nadir at 4,000-m altitude.

4.1.7 Manufacturer of Sensor/Instrument

The TIMS instrument was built by Daedalus Enterprises, of Ann Arbor, MI. It was further

modified by the NASA Stennis Space Flight Center.

4.2 Calibration

As with the First International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project (ISLSCP) Field

Experiment (FIFE), BOREAS staff attempted to further relate remotely sensed radiances to land

surface radiometers. The TIMS instrument carries two onboard blackbody sources, which fill the full

aperture of the system with energy of a preset, known temperature. The two blackbody sources are

viewed by the TIMS once every scan line.

The spectral bandpass of each channel was determined by the calibration laboratory at Stennis on

an annual basis.

TIMS data may be intentionally overscanned, e.g., operated at some integral multiple of the desired

scan rate and then subsampled in preprocessing. The subsampling factor is reported as a

"demagnification factor."

4.2.1 Specifications

The wavelength ranges (in micrometers) of the bands for the TIMS are:

Noise Equivalent Change

Band Detector Wavelength in Temperature (NEdT)

1 HgCdTe 8

2 " 8

3 " 9

4 " 9

5 " i0

6 " ii

2 - 8.6

6 - 9.0

0 - 9.4

4 - 10.2

2 - 11.2

2 - 12.2

0 2°C

0 2°C

0 2°C

0 2°C

0 2°C

0 2°C

DESIGN DATA:

IFOV

Across-track Field-Of-View

Nominal aperture diameter

Effective aperture area

f/number

Primary focal length

2.5 mrads

76.56 °

7.5 inches

59.8 cm 2

Not available

Not available

Page 4
Inflight calibration

V/H range

Scan rate

Scan speed ability

Data quantization

Number of video samples/scan

Roll compensation

Scan mirror

NEdt

line

Two controllable blackbodies

Variable, 0.025 to 0.25

Variable, 7.3 to 25 scans/sec.

One-third of the IFOV, scan

line to scan line

8 bits (256 discrete levels)

638

+/-15 °

45 ° rotating mirror

0.25 K

4.2.1.1 Tolerance

The TIMS channels were designed for noise-equivalent temperature differences for the channels,

represented by the radiometric sensitivity (NEdT) of 0.25 K.

4.2.2 Frequency of Calibration

The TIMS was spectrally calibrated prior to each flight season at Stennis to determine the spectral

response function of each channel.

4.2.3 Other Calibration Information

The TIMS instrument periodically viewed an extended-area precision blackbody source at ARC to

verify linearity of response over the range of 0-50 °C.

5. Data Acquisition Methods

As part of the BOREAS Staff Science data collection effort, BORIS distributed 6-band level-lb TIMS

image data. The TIMS was flown on NASA's C-130 aircraft during the BOREAS mission (see the

BOREAS Experiment Plan for flight pattern details and objectives).

Personnel at NASA ARC processed the raw data to level-0 products, which were supplied to

BORIS and JPL personnel. JPL personnel in turn processed selected level-0 images to the level-lbB

at-sensor radiance products described here.

6. Observations

6.1 Data Notes

The data obtained from NASA ARC processed easily into the level-lb products.

6.2 Field Notes

Flight summary reports and verbal records on videotapes are available for the BOREAS TIMS

data.

7. Data Description

7.1 Spatial Characteristics

The BOREAS Level-lb TIMS images primarily cover the Southern Study Area (SSA) and the

Northern Study Area (NSA). A few images were acquired for the transect area between the SSA and

the NSA. The SSA and the NSA are located in the southwest and northeast portions of the overall

region.

Page 5
7.1.1 Spatial Coverage

The North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83) corner coordinates of the SSA are:

Latitude Longitude

Northwest 54.321 N 106.228 W

Northeast 54.225 N 104.237 W

Southwest 53.515 N 106.321 W

Southeast 53.420 N 104.368 W

The NAD83 corner coordinates of the NSA are:

Latitude Longitude

Northwest 56.249 N 98.825 W

Northeast 56.083 N 97.234 W

Southwest 55.542 N 99.045 W

Southeast 55.379 N 97.489 W

7.1.2 Spatial Coverage Map

Not available.

7.1.3 Spatial Resolution

Typical altitudes for BOREAS flights were 5,000 and 3,000 m above ground level (surface

elevation of 400 m), which normally required 25 scan lines per second. These altitudes produced 12.5

m and 7.5 m pixels at nadir given the TIMS's 2.5 mrad IFOV.

7.1.4 Projection

Not applicable.

7.1.5 Grid Description

The BOREAS level-lb TIMS images are stored in their original data collection frame with

increasing pixel sizes from nadir to the scanning extremes based on the scan angle.

7.2 Temporal Characteristics

7.2.1 Temporal Coverage

The data were collected during the BOREAS Focused Field Campaign-Thaw (FFC-T) and

Intensive Field Campaign (IFC)-3, covering the periods of 16- to 20-Apr-1994 and 06- to

16-Sep- 1994.

7.2.2 Temporal Coverage Map

IFC# Dates

FFC-T 16-Apr-1994 -- 20-Apr-1994

IFC-3 06-Sep-1994 -- 17-Sep-1994

7.2.3 Temporal Resolution

Images were acquired on at least one day during the field campaigns.

Page 6
7.3 Data Characteristics

7.3.1 Parameter/Variable

The main parameter contained in the image data files is:

At Sensor Radiance in milliwatts/ (m 2 sr _m) .

The descriptions of the parameters contained in the inventory listing file on the CD-ROM are:

Column Name

SPATIAL COVERAGE

DATE OBS

START TIME

END TIME

PLATFORM

INSTRUMENT

NUM BANDS

PLATFORM ALTITUDE

MIN SOLAR ZEN ANG

MAX SOLAR ZEN ANG

MIN SOLAR AZ ANG

MAX SOLAR AZ ANG

C130 MISSION ID

C130 LINE NUM

C130 RUN NUM

C130 SITE

BAND QUALITY

CLOUD COVER

TIMS MEAN FRAME STATUS

NW LATITUDE

NW LONGITUDE

NE LATITUDE

NE LONGITUDE

SW LATITUDE

SW LONGITUDE

SE LATITUDE

SE LONGITUDE

CRTFCN CODE

7.3.2 Variable Description/Definition

For the image data files:

At-sensor radiance - The value representing the quantized DN derived by

the TM scanning system radiant energy incident on the

sensor aperture at the time of data collection in the

specific TIMS wavelength regions.

The descriptions of the parameters contained in the inventory listing file on the CD-ROM are:

Column Name Description

SPATIAL COVERAGE

DATE OBS

START TIME

The general term used to denote the spatial area

over which the data were collected.

The date on which the data were collected.

The starting Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) for the

Page 7
END TIME

PLATFORM

INSTRUMENT

NUM BANDS

PLATFORM ALTITUDE

MIN SOLAR ZEN ANG

MAX SOLAR ZEN ANG

MIN SOLAR AZ ANG

MAX SOLAR AZ ANG

C130 MISSION ID

C130 LINE NUM

C130 RUN NUM

C130 SITE

BAND QUALITY

CLOUD COVER

TIMS MEAN FRAME STATUS

data collected.

The ending Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) for the

data collected.

The object (e.g., satellite, aircraft, tower,

person) that supported the instrument.

The name of the device used to make the

measurements.

The number of spectral bands in the data.

The nominal altitude of the data collection

platform above the target.

The minimum angle from the surface normal

(straight up) to the sun during the data

collection.

The maximum angle from the surface normal

(straight up) to the sun during the data

collection.

The minimum azimuthal direction of the sun

during data collection expressed in clockwise

increments from North.

The maximum azimuthal direction of the sun

during data collection expressed in clockwise

increments from North.

The mission identifier assigned to the C130

mission in the form of YY-DDD-FF where YY is the

last two digits of the fiscal year, DDD is the

deployment number for "official" C130 missions and

is day of year for non-"official" C130 missions

(i.e., no site coverage), and FF is the flight

number within the given deployment (00 is given

for non-"official" C130 missions) . An example

would be 94-006-04.

The number of the C130 line in its flights over

the BOREAS area as given in the flight logs.

Zero values are given for non-"official" C130

missions and for data between C130 sites or lines.

The number of the C130 run in its flights over

the BOREAS area as given in the flight logs.

Zero value is given for non-"official" C130

missions and data between C130 sites, lines or

runs.

The C130 site designator as given in the flight

logs. PRE is used for data taken from the

airport to the first "official" C130 site, BTW is

used for data taken between two "official" C130

sites, DSC is used for data taken after the last

"official" C130 site, TRN is used for transect

data, and YTH and YPA are used for data taken at

the YTH and YPA airports (aircraft never

left the ground).

The data analyst's assessment of the quality of

the spectral bands in the data.

The data analyst's assessment of the cloud cover

that exists in the data.

The mean frame status calculated from the values

Page 8
NW LATITUDE

NW LONGITUDE

NE LATITUDE

NE LONGITUDE

SW LATITUDE

SW LONGITUDE

SE LATITUDE

SE LONGITUDE

CRTFCN CODE

on the digital tape of TIMS data collected during

the flight.

The NAD83 based latitude coordinate of the northwest corner of the minimum bounding rectangle

for the data.

The NAD83 based longitude coordinate of the

northwest corner of the minimum bounding

rectangle for the data.

The NAD83 based latitude coordinate of the north

east corner of the minimum bounding rectangle for

the data.

The NAD83 based longitude coordinate of the

north east corner of the minimum bounding

rectangle for the data.

The NAD83 based latitude coordinate of the south

west corner of the minimum bounding rectangle for

the data.

The NAD83 based longitude coordinate of the

southwest corner of the minimum bounding

rectangle for the data.

The NAD83 based latitude coordinate of the south

east corner of the minimum bounding rectangle for

the data.

The NAD83 based longitude coordinate of the

southeast corner of the minimum bounding

rectangle for the data.

The BOREAS certification level of the data.

Examples are CPI (Checked by PI), CGR (Certified

by Group), PRE (Preliminary), and CPI-??? (CPI

but questionable).

7.3.3 Unit of Measurement

For theimage datafiles:At-sensor radiance - milliwatts/ (m 2 sr _m)

The measurement units for the parameters contained in the inventory listing file on the CD-ROM are:

Column Name Units

SPATIAL COVERAGE [none]

DATE OBS [DD-MON-YY]

START TIME [HHMM GMT]

END TIME [HHMM GMT]

PLATFORM [none]

INSTRUMENT [none]

NUM BANDS [counts]

PLATFORM ALTITUDE [meters]

MIN SOLAR ZEN ANG [degrees]

MAX SOLAR ZEN ANG [degrees]

MIN SOLAR AZ ANG [degrees]

MAX SOLAR AZ ANG [degrees]

C130 MISSION ID [none]

C130 LINE NUM [none]

C130 RUN NUM [none]

C130 SITE [none]

Page 9
BAND QUALITY [none]

CLOUD COVER [none]

TIMS MEAN FRAME STATUS [none]

NW LATITUDE [degrees]

NW LONGITUDE [degrees]

NE LATITUDE [degrees]

NE LONGITUDE [degrees]

SW LATITUDE [degrees]

SW LONGITUDE [degrees]

SE LATITUDE [degrees]

SE LONGITUDE [degrees]

CRTFCN CODE [none]

7.3.4 Data Source

The level-lb TIMS data were derived by JPL personnel from the original level-0 data. The sources

of the parameter values contained in the inventory listing file on the CD-ROM are:

Column Name Data Source

SPATIAL COVERAGE

DATE OBS

START TIME

END TIME

PLATFORM

INSTRUMENT

NUM BANDS

PLATFORM ALTITUDE

MIN SOLAR ZEN ANG

MAX SOLAR ZEN ANG

MIN SOLAR AZ ANG

MAX SOLAR AZ ANG

C130 MISSION ID

C130 LINE NUM

C130 RUN NUM

C130 SITE

BAND QUALITY

CLOUD COVER

NS001 MEAN FRAME STATUS

NW LATITUDE

[Determined from latitude and longitude

information provided in the NASA ARC flight

summary reports]

[Software derived from TIMS housekeeping data]

[Software derived from TIMS housekeeping data]

[Software derived from TIMS housekeeping data]

[Data base constant]

[Data base constant]

[Data base constant]

[Determined from latitude and longitude

information provided in the NASA ARC flight

summary reports]

[Calculated with software from latitude and

longitude and time information]

[Calculated with software from latitude and

longitude and time information]

[Calculated with software from latitude and

longitude and time information]

[Calculated with software from latitude and

longitude and time information]

[Taken from the delivered tape label and the NASA

ARC Flight Summary Reports]

[Taken from the delivered tape label and the NASA

ARC Flight Summary Reports]

[Taken from the delivered tape label and the NASA

ARC Flight Summary Reports]

[Taken from the delivered tape label and the NASA

ARC Flight Summary Reports]

[Constant software parameter value]

[Constant software parameter value]

[Software derived from TIMS housekeeping data]

[Calculated with software from the C130 altitude

and heading, starting and ending flight line

latitude and longitude, and the static NS001 scan

Page 10
NW LONGITUDE

NE LATITUDE

NE LONGITUDE

SW LATITUDE

SW LONGITUDE

SE LATITUDE

SE LONGITUDE

CRTFCN CODE

angle information]

[Calculated with software from the C130 altitude

and heading, starting and ending flight line

latitude and longitude and the static TIMS scan

angle information]

[Calculated with software from the C130 altitude

and heading, starting and ending flight line

latitude and longitude and the static TIMS scan

angle information]

[Calculated with software from the C130 altitude

and heading, starting and ending flight line

latitude and longitude and the static TIMS scan

angle information]

[Calculated with software from the C130 altitude

and heading, starting and ending flight line

latitude and longitude and the static TIMS scan

angle information]

[Calculated with software from the C130 altitude

and heading, starting and ending flight line

latitude and longitude and the static TIMS scan

angle information]

[Calculated with software from the C130 altitude

and heading, starting and ending flight line

latitude and longitude and the static TIMS scan

angle information]

[Calculated with software from the C130 altitude

and heading, starting and ending flight line

latitude and longitude and the static TIMS scan

angle information]

[Constant data base value]

7.3.5 Data Range

The maximum range of DNs in each level-lb TIMS image band is limited from -16,384 to 16,383

so that the values can be stored in a two-byte field. The following table gives information about the

parameter values found in the inventory table on the CD-ROM.

Column Name

Minimum Maximum Missng Unrel Below Data

Data Data Data Data Detect Not

Value Value Value Value Limit Cllctd

SPATIAL COVERAGE N/A N/A None None None None

DATE OBS 16-APR-94 17-SEP-94 None None None None

START TIME 2 959 None None None None

END TIME 5 959 None None None None

PLATFORM C130 C130 None None None None

INSTRUMENT N/A N/A None None None None

NUM BANDS 6 6 None None None None

PLATFORM ALTITUDE 4640 7265.5 None None None None

MIN SOLAR ZEN ANG 73.8 121.4 None None None None

MAX SOLAR ZEN ANG 74 121.7 None None None None

MIN SOLAR AZ ANG .3 358.3 None None None None

MAX SOLAR AZ ANG .7 358.8 None None None None

C130 MISSION ID 94-004-09 94-009-09 None None None None

C130 LINE NUM 1 703 None None None None

Page 11
C130 RUN NUM i 2 None None None None

C130 SITE 429 433 None None None None

BAND QUALITY N/A N/A None None None None

CLOUD COVER N/A N/A None None None None

TIMS MEAN FRAME None None None Blank

STATUS

NW LATITUDE 53.65307 56.17763 None None None None

NW LONGITUDE -106.54837 -97.96291 None None None None

NE LATITUDE 53.6305 56.12803 None None None None

NE LONGITUDE -106.09913 -97.77578 None None None None

SW LATITUDE 53.45336 55.89295 None None None None

SW LONGITUDE -106.63445 -98.02344 None None None None

SE LATITUDE 53.37184 55.84932 None None None None

SE LONGITUDE -106.13012 -97.83714 None None None None

CRTFCN CODE PRE PRE None None None None

Minimum Data Value -- The minimum value found in the column.

Maximum Data Value -- The maximum value found in the column.

Missng Data Value -- The value that indicates missing data. This is used to

indicate that an attempt was made to determine the

parameter value, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

Unrel Data Value -- The value that indicates unreliable data. This is used

to indicate an attempt was made to determine the

parameter value, but the value was deemed to be

unreliable by the analysis personnel.

Below Detect Limit -- The value that indicates parameter values below the

instruments detection limits. This is used to

indicate that an attempt was made to determine the

parameter value, but the analysis personnel determined

that the parameter value was below the detection

limit of the instrumentation.

Data Not Cllctd -- This value indicates that no attempt was made to

determine the parameter value. This usually

indicates that BORIS combined several similar but

not identical data sets into the same data base table

but this particular science team did not

measure that parameter.

Blank -- Indicates that blank spaces are used to denote that type of value.

N/A -- Indicates that the value is not applicable to the respective column.

None -- Indicates that no values of that sort were found in the column.

7.4 Sample Data Record

A sample data record for the level-lb TIMS images is not available here. The following are wrapped

versions of the first few records from the level- lb TIMS inventory table on the CD-ROM.

SPATIAL COVERAGE,DATE OBS,START TIME,END TIME,PLATFORM, INSTRUMENT,NUM BANDS,

PLATFORM ALTITUDE,MIN SOLAR ZEN ANG,MAX SOLAR ZEN ANG,MIN SOLAR AZ ANG,

MAX SOLAR AZ ANG,CI30 MISSION ID,CI30 LINE NUM, CI30 RUN NUM, CI30 SITE,

BAND QUALITY,CLOUD COVER, TIMS MEAN FRAME STATUS,NW LATITUDE,NW LONGITUDE,

NE LATITUDE,NE LONGITUDE,SW LATITUDE,SW LONGITUDE,SE LATITUDE,SE LONGITUDE,

CRTFCN CODE

Page 12
'SSA',I6-APR-94,606,610, 'C130', 'TIMS',6,4753.1,115.2,115.4,343.9,344.4,

'94-004-09',301,i, '429', 'NOT ASSESSED', 'NOT ASSESSED',,53.71754,-106.37024,

53.6996,-i05.93603,53.52663,-i06.39161,53.50878,-i05.95939, 'PRE'

'SSA',I6-APR-94,615,618, 'C130', 'TIMS',6,4771.0,115.5,115.7,346.2,346.8,

'94-004-09',303,1, '429', 'NOT ASSESSED', 'NOT ASSESSED',,53.65307,-106.48068,

53.6305,-i05.92932,53.62535,-i06.48372,53.60279,-i05.93272, 'PRE'

8. Data Organization

8.1 Data Granularity

The smallest unit of data for level-lb TIMS images is a single image.

8.2 Data Format(s)

The CD-ROM inventory listing file consists of numerical and character fields of varying length

separated by commas. The character fields are enclosed with single apostrophe marks. There are no

spaces between the fields.

Each level- lb TIMS scene is stored in 6 files, one per spectral band. Each band in a scene is

contained in a file of 1276 byte records, the first two of which are ASCII header information. The

following records each contain one image line of 698 2-byte pixels. These 16-bit data are high-order

byte first. For computer systems using low-order byte first ordering, the bytes in these fields need to

be swapped before they can be interpreted properly.

9. Data Manipulations

9.1 Formulae

9.1.1 Derivation Techniques and Algorithms

First, a header label is created for the file that includes the number of scan lines, number of

samples, number of bands (default: six), and file organization (default: BSQ). The TIMSCAL program

is used next to convert the raw data to instrument perceived radiance data. This file is then separated

into six files constituting the six TIMS bands for further manipulation.

Additional calibration programs used by the JPL science team are FIT, XFORM, and C130RECT

(see Section 9.2.1 for detailed description of these programs).

9.2 Data Processing Sequence

9.2.1 Processing Steps

TIMSCAL produces an output of instrument perceived radiance data. The output is a data set of all

six bands stored in 2-byte integers. The units output for radiance images are: milliwatts/(m2 sr pro).

The units output for temperature images are in hundredths of degrees Centigrade. Output is in 2-byte

signed integer format. Next, the data are separated into the six TIMS bands for processing by the

investigator, or further processing of the data to output a hardcopy quality image.

FIT is a VICAR applications program that performs automatic linear stretches on 2-byte images

anywhere in the 2-byte range (-32768 to +32767). FIT computes a grey-level frequency table

(histogram) of the input image. The histogram has 65536 bins, hence spans the entire halfword range

from -32768 to +32767. The program determines linear stretch constants IMIN and IMAX such that:

• IMIN is the largest I that satisfies the equation: A(-32768,I) <= PL * A(-32768,32767)

• IMAX is the smallest I that satisfies the equation: A(I,32767) <= PH * A(-32768,32767)

Page 13
Thelinearstretchthatis appliedtotheimageisdefinedas:

HV- LV

Y = (X - IMIN) + LV

IHAX - IHIN

where X and Y are the input and output DN values respectively for each pixel.

XFORM will perform a linear transformation on the input data. The transformation is specified by

a matrix input as a parameter.

Each corresponding pixel from the input data sets is represented by a vector x[T] =

(xl,x2 .... xm)[T], where [T] denotes Transpose.

A gain and offset are then applied to each component before it is written to the output data set.

Auto-scale mode is the default condition and was used in the processing of this data. In auto-scale

mode, the gains and offsets for each band are calculated by fitting the output histogram to

user-specified parameters.

C130RECT removes scan-angle distortion in images acquired by scanners that sample at equal

angular increments. Tilt can be corrected and the aspect ratio of the image can be adjusted. C130RECT

is essentially divided into three parts. The first of these handles simple initialization and computes

(using basic trigonometry) values for the variables which are dependent on the image tilt and scan

width. The second part of the program fills a resampling address array which, for each input pixel

position, gives a real-valued index into the input buffer from which values may be interpolated; this

array mapping may be dumped to the screen by specifying the DEBUG option. The third part of the

program reads in each line of the image, and using the resampling address array and C routine resamp,

corrects each line for distortion according to the tilt and scan width specified, finally outputting each

line to the output image.

BORIS staff processed the level- lb TIMS images by:

• Extracting the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII) header record

from the level- lb image product and placing it on disk.

• Reading the information in the disk file and loading the online data base with needed

information.

9.2.2 Processing Changes

None.

9.3 Calculations

9.3.1 Special Corrections/Adjustments

The TIMS data are not geometrically corrected. The data contain both panoramic distortion, as a

function of the 76.56-degree total FOV, and other spatial perturbations induced by a moving aircraft.

9.3.2 Calculated Variables

None given.

9.4 Graphs and Plots

None given.

10. Errors

10.1 Sources of Error

See Section 9.3.1. Other sources of error include possible nonunity emissivity of the onboard

blackbodies and inexact knowledge of the exact blackbody temperatures in flight conditions. In 1989,

a honeycomb scheme container was used for the blackbodies, which made the above errors much

smaller.

Page 14
10.2 Quality Assessment

10.2.1 Data Validation by Source

Spectral errors could arise because of image-wide signal-to-noise ratio, saturation, cross-talk,

spikes, response normalization caused by a change in gain. JPL personnel did not perform any error

validation.

10.2.2 Confidence Level/Accuracy Judgment

The system's optical focus is continually monitored by close observation of the apparent sharpness

and resolution of objects appearing in scenes after data processing. Although this approach is

somewhat subjective, it has proven to be a viable alternative compared to the classical resolution

measurement method, which requires removing the scanner system from the C-130 airplane with

subsequent setup. This is not a practical option during the flying/deployment portion of the year.

However, any observed focus degradation would be corrected by focus adjustment.

There was no reason to believe that the data were faulty; therefore, the confidence level was high

for these data.

10.2.3 Measurement Error for Parameters

The NEdT for the channels is typically 0.2 °C or less, depending on aircraft flight regime, with

variations caused by vibration.

10.2.4 Additional Quality Assessments

The TIMS has periodically viewed a precision extended-area blackbody calibration source to verify

linearity over the 0-50 °C range.

The hardcopy images are visually reviewed for any obvious distortions that may be eliminated by

the JPL programs. None were noticed and the data were not manipulated further.

10.2.5 Data Verification by Data Center

BORIS personnel reviewed the values extracted from the tape files and loaded into the data base

and visually reviewed a random set of the images on a display screen. No anomalous items were

discovered in the review.

11. Notes

11.1 Limitations of the Data

None given.

11.2 Known Problems with the Data

None given.

11.3 Usage Guidance

Because of variable conditions found in different flight regimes on the C-130 aircraft, the onboard

blackbody temperatures reported in the housekeeping data may be artificially high, which will result in

apparently elevated ground temperatures. This is caused by cold air blasting on the front surface of

these reference sources. An airdam (air fence) was installed to shelter the sensor from the wind,

thereby minimize the effects of the wind blast.

The TIMS data are not geometrically corrected. The data contain both panoramic distortions, as a

function of the 76-degree total FOV, as well as other spatial perturbations induced by a moving

aircraft.

11.4 Other Relevant Information

None given.

Page 15
12. Application of the Data Set

The TIMS data can be used to analyze the thermal properties of various surface targets. The data

provide a six-channel spectral emissivity curve, which is used as a diagnostic tool to identify various

minerals and man-made surfaces.

None.

13. Future Modifications and Plans

14. Software

14.1 Software Description

BORIS staff developed software and command procedures for:

• Extracting header and calibration information from level-lb TIMS images on tape and writing

it to ASCII files on disk.

• Reading the ASCII disk file and logging the level-lb TIMS image products into the Oracle

data base tables.

14.2 Software Access

The software is written in C and is operational on VAX 6410 and MicroVAX 3100 systems at

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The primary dependencies in the software are the Oracle data

base utility routines.

15. Data Access

The TIMS images are available from the Earth Observing System Data and Information System

(EOSDIS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC).

15.1 Contact Information

For BOREAS data and documentation please contact:

ORNL DAAC User Services

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

P.O. Box 2008 MS-6407

Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6407

Phone: (423) 241-3952

Fax: (423) 574-4665

E-mail: ornldaac@ornl.gov or ornl@eos.nasa.gov

15.2 Data Center Identification

Earth Observing System Data and Information System (EOSDIS) Oak Ridge National Laboratory

(ORNL) Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) for Biogeochemical Dynamics

http://www-eosdis.ornl.gov/.

15.3 Procedures for Obtaining Data

Users may obtain data directly through the ORNL DAAC online search and order system

[http://www-eosdis.ornl.gov/] and the anonymous FTP site [ftp://www-eosdis.ornl.gov/data/] or by

contacting User Services by electronic mail, telephone, fax, letter, or personal visit using the contact

information in Section 15.1.

Page 16
15.4 Data Center Status/Plans

The ORNL DAAC is the primary source for BOREAS field measurement, image, GIS, and

hardcopy data products. The BOREAS CD-ROM and data referenced or listed in inventories on the

CD-ROM are available from the ORNL DAAC.

16. Output Products and Availability

16.1 Tape Products

The BOREAS level-lb TIMS data can be made available on 1600- or 6250-Bytes Per Inch (BPI)

9-track, 8-ram, or Digital Archive Tape (DAT) media.

16.2 Film Products

Color aerial photographs and video records were made during data collection. The video record

includes aircraft crew cabin intercom conversations and an audible tone that was initiated each time the

sensor was triggered. The BOREAS data base contains an inventory of available BOREAS aircraft

flight documentation, such as flight logs, videotapes, and photographs.

16.3 Other Products

Although the image inventory is contained on the BOREAS CD-ROM set, the actual level-lb TIMS

images are not. See Section 15 for information about how to obtain the data.

17. References

17.1 Platform/Sensor/Instrument/Data Processing Documentation

There is a Daedalus Operator's Manual for TIMS, but it is proprietary and may not be reproduced

without their permission. Contact Daedalus Enterprises, Ann Arbor, MI, for details.

NASA. 1990. C-130 Earth Resources Aircraft Experimenter's Handbook. National Aeronautics and

Space Administration, Ames Research Center. Moffett Field, CA.

Airborne Instrumentation Research Project. 1994. Flight Summary Reports for Flight No. 94-004-09

to 94-009-09 or April 16, 1994 to September 19, 1994. NASA Ames Research Center, Airborne

Missions and Applications Division, Moffett Field, CA 94035.

17.2 Journal Articles and Study Reports

Newcomer, J., D. Landis, S. Conrad, S. Curd, K. Huemmrich, D. Knapp, A. Morrell, J. Nickeson,

A. Papagno, D. Rinker, R. Strub, T. Twine, F. Hall, and P. Sellers, eds. 2000. Collected Data of The

Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study. NASA. CD-ROM.

Sellers, P. and F. Hall. 1994. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment Plan. Version

1994-3.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 94).

Sellers, P. and F. Hall. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: Experiment Plan. Version

1996-2.0, NASA BOREAS Report (EXPLAN 96).

Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1996. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1994

Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPS DOC 94).

Sellers, P., F. Hall, and K.F. Huemmrich. 1997. Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study: 1996

Operations. NASA BOREAS Report (OPS DOC 96).

Page 17
Sellers,P.,F. Hall, H. Margolis,B. Kelly, D. Baldocchi,G. denHartog,J.Cihlar, M.G. Ryan,B.

Goodison,P.Crill, K.J.RansomD. Lettenmaier,andD.E. Wickland. 1995.Theboreal

ecosystem-atmospherestudy(BOREAS):anoverviewandearlyresultsfrom the1994field year.

Bulletinof theAmericanMeteorologicalSociety.76(9):1549-1577.

Sellers,P.J.,F.G.Hall, R.D.Kelly, A. Black, D. Baldocchi,J. Berry, M. Ryan,K.J. Ranson,P.M.

Crill, D.P.Lettenmaier,H. Margolis,J.Cihlar, J.Newcomer,D. Fitzjarrald,P.G.Jarvis,S.T.

Gower,D. Halliwell, D. Williams, B. Goodison,D.E.Wickland, andF.E.Guertin.1997.BOREAS

in 1997:ExperimentOverview,ScientificResultsandFutureDirections.Journalof Geophysical

Research102(D24):28,731-28,770.

17.3 Archive/DBMS Usage Documentation

None.

None.

18. Glossary of Terms

ARC

ASAS

ASCII

BIL

BOREAS

BORIS

BPI

BSQ

CCRS

CCT

CD-ROM

DAAC

DAT

DN

EOS

EOSDIS

FFC-T

FIFE

FOV

fPAR

GIS

GMT

GSFC

HgCdTe

HTML

I/O

IFC

IFOV

ISLSCP

JPL

LAI

NAD83

19. List of Acronyms

- Ames Research Center

- Advanced Solid-state Array Spectroradiometer

- American Standard Code for Information Interchange

- Band Interleaved by Line

- BOReal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study

- BOREAS Information System

- Bytes Per Inch

- Band Sequential

- Canada for Remote Sensing

- Computer Compatible Tape

- Compact Disk-Read-Only Memory

- Distributed Active Archive Center

- Digital Archive Tape

- Digital Number

- Earth Observing System

- EOS Data and Information System

- Focused Field Campaign - Thaw

- First ISLSCP Field Experiment

- Field-Of-View

- fraction of Photosynthetically Active Radiation

- Geographic Information System

- Greenwich Mean Time

- Goddard Space Flight Center

- mercury-cadmium-tellurium

- HyperText Markup Language

- Input/Output

- Intensive Field Campaign

- Instantaneous Field-of-View

- International Satellite Land Surface Climatology Project

- Jet Propulsion Laboratory

- Leaf Area Index

- North American Datum 1983

Page 18
NASA

NEdt

NSA

ORNL

PANP

SSA

TIMS

TM

TMS

URL

- National Aeronautics and Space Administration

- Noise-Equivalent Change in Temperature

- Northern Study Area

- Oak Ridge National Laboratory

- Prince Albert National Park

- Southern Study Area

- Thermal Infrared Multispectral Scanner

- Thematic Mapper

- Thematic Mapper Simulator

- Uniform Resource Locator

20. Document Information

20.1 Document Revision Date(s)

Written: 21-Mar- 1995

Last Updated: 13-Aug- 1999

20.2 Document Review Date(s)

BORIS Review: 06-Jan- 1997

Science Review:

20.3 Document ID

20.4 Citation

When using these data, please include the following acknowledgment as well as citations of

relevant papers in Section 17.2:

The BOREAS level-lb TIMS data were collected and processed from the original aircraft tapes by

personnel of the Medium Altitude Aircraft Branch at NASA ARC. Their contributions to providing this

data set are greatly appreciated.

If using data from the BOREAS CD-ROM series, also reference the data as:

BOREAS Staff Science, "BOREAS Staff Science Aircraft Data Acquisition Program." In Collected

Data of The Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study. Eds. J. Newcomer, D. Landis, S. Conrad, S.

Curd, K. Huemmrich, D. Knapp, A. Morrell, J. Nickeson, A. Papagno, D. Rinker, R. Strub, T.

Twine, F. Hall, and P. Sellers. CD-ROM. NASA, 2000.

Also, cite the BOREAS CD-ROM set as:

Newcomer, J., D. Landis, S. Conrad, S. Curd, K. Huemmrich, D. Knapp, A. Morrell, J.

Nickeson, A. Papagno, D. Rinker, R. Strub, T. Twine, F. Hall, and P. Sellers, eds. Collected Data of

The Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study. NASA. CD-ROM. NASA, 2000.

20.5 Document Curator

20.6 Document URL

Page 19
REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE FormApproved

OMB No. 0704-0188

Public reporting burden for this collection of informationis estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,

gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this

collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson

Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188), Washington, DC 20503.

1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATE 3. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVERED

September 2000 Technical Memorandum

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

Technical Report Series on the Boreal Ecosystem-Atmosphere Study (BOREAS)

BOREAS Level-1B TIMS Imagery: At-sensor Radiance in BSQ Format

6. AUTHOR(S)

Richard Strub, Jeffrey A. Newcomer, and Sonia Chernobieff

Forrest G. Hall and Jaime Nickeson, Editors

7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES)

Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, Maryland 20771

9. SPONSORING / MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS (ES)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Washington, DC 20546-0001

5. FUNDING NUMBERS

923

RTOP: 923-462-33-01

8. PEFORMING ORGANIZATION

REPORT NUMBER

2000-03136-0

10. SPONSORING / MONITORING

AGENCY REPORT NUMBER

TM--2000-209891

Vol. 92

11. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

R. Strub, J.A. Newcomer, and J. Nickeson: Raytheon ITSS;

S. Chernobieff: User Tech. Associates, Inc.

12a. DISTRIBUTION / AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Unclassifie_Unlimited

Subject Category: 43

Report available from the NASA Center for AeroSpace Information,

7121 Standard Drive, Hanover, MD 21076-1320. (301) 621-0390.

12b. DISTRIBUTION CODE

13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)

The BOREAS Staff Science Aircraft Data Acquisition Program focused on providing the research

teams with the remotely sensed satellite data products they needed to compare and spatially extend

point results. For BOREAS, the TIMS imagery, along with other aircraft images, was collected to

provide spatially extensive information over the primary study areas. The Level-lb TIMS images

cover the time periods of 16-Apr-1994 to 20-Apr-1994 and 06-Sep-1994 to 17-Sep-1994. The system

calibrated images are stored in binary image format files.

14. SUBJECT TERMS

BOREAS, remote sensing science, TIMS imagery.

17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF REPORT

Unclassified

NSN 7540-01-280-5500

18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF THIS PAGE

Unclassified

19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

OF ABSTRACT

Unclassified

15. NUMBER OF PAGES

19

16. PRICE CODE

20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACT

UL

Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89)

Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39.18

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