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Advances in Calibration, Validation, and Quality Assurance for Optical Remote Sensors

A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Satellite Missions for Earth and Planetary Exploration".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 3072

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhenhai Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Anhui Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China
Interests: polarization detection techniques; satellite remote sensing; Cal/Val; uncertainty analysis; data preprocessing; data quality assurance
Prof. Dr. Gennadi Milinevsky

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Physics, International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Interests: atmospheric aerosols; polarimetric remote sensing; climate change; cross-calibration; ozone depletion; atmosphere physics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Optical remote sensing has become crucial in monitoring the earth’s environment, supporting applications that range from climate change assessment to disaster management. However, the accuracy and reliability of these observations hinge on robust calibration, validation (Cal/Val), and quality assurance (QA) processes. For optical remote sensors deployed on ground-based, airborne, and spaceborne platforms, challenges regarding the radiometric, spectral, geometric and polarimetric accuracy and quality of the data persist. In particular, the development of emerging technologies in optical remote sensing, along with multi-source data fusion and the growing demand for quantitative remote sensing, have further amplified the need for innovation in Cal/Val and QA methodologies to enhance the accuracy and quality of cross-sensor and long-term time-series remote sensing data. This Special Issue aims to consolidate the latest advancements in these areas, promoting technical developments that enhance the trustworthiness of optical remote sensing data and supporting precision measurement and quantitative remote sensing applications.

This Special Issue aligns with Remote Sensing’s mission to publish high-impact research on sensor technologies, data processing, and Earth observation applications. We welcome contributions that advance calibration, validation, and QA frameworks for optical sensors, with a focus on enhancing the accuracy, interoperability, and traceability data to fulfil international standards.

Themes:

  • Ground-, airborne-, and spaceborne optical sensor calibration challenges and solutions.
  • Radiometric, polarimetric, spectral and geometric calibration innovations.
  • ​On-orbit validation methods for satellite optical remote sensors​.
  • ​Calibration uncertainty assessment and sensitivity analysis​.
  • ​Remote sensing data quality assurance and quality check (QA/QC) methods and workflows.

​We welcome the submission of original research articles, reviews, technical notes, and methodological papers, in addition to short communications on novel tools or datasets.

Dr. Zhenhai Liu
Prof. Dr. Gennadi Milinevsky
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • optical remote sensing
  • radiometric calibration
  • polarimetric calibration
  • spectral calibration
  • geometric calibration
  • vicarious calibration
  • cross-calibration
  • uncertainty analysis
  • validation
  • data quality assurance

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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27 pages, 3681 KB  
Article
Absolute Radiometric Calibration of CAS500-1/AEISS-C: Reflectance-Based Vicarious Calibration and Cross-Calibration with Sentinel-2/MSI
by Kyung-Bae Choi, Kyoung-Wook Jin, Dong-Hwan Cha, Jin-Hyeok Choi, Yong-Han Jo, Kwang-Nyun Kim, Gwibong Kang, Ho-Yeon Shin, Ji-Yun Lee, Eun-Young Kim and Yun Gon Lee
Remote Sens. 2026, 18(1), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18010177 - 5 Jan 2026
Viewed by 731
Abstract
The absolute radiometric calibration of a satellite sensor is an essential process that determines the coefficients required to convert the radiometric quantities of satellite images. This procedure is crucial for ensuring the applicability and enhancing the reliability of optical sensors onboard satellites. This [...] Read more.
The absolute radiometric calibration of a satellite sensor is an essential process that determines the coefficients required to convert the radiometric quantities of satellite images. This procedure is crucial for ensuring the applicability and enhancing the reliability of optical sensors onboard satellites. This study performs the absolute radiometric calibration of the Compact Advanced Satellite 500-1 (CAS500-1) Advanced Earth Imaging Sensor System-C (AEISS-C), a low Earth orbit satellite developed independently by Republic of Korea for precise ground observation. Field campaign using a tarp, an Analytical Spectral Devices FieldSpecIII spectroradiometer, and a MicrotopsII sunphotometer was conducted. Additionally, reflectance-based vicarious calibration was performed using observational data and the MODerate resolution atmospheric TRANsmission model (version 6) radiative transfer model (RTM). Cross-calibration was also performed using data from the Sentinel-2 MultiSpectral Instrument, RadCalNet observations, and MODIS Bidirectional nReflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) products (MCD43A1) to account for differences in spectral response functions, viewing/solar geometry, and atmospheric conditions between the two satellites. From these datasets, two correction factors were derived: the Spectral Band Adjustment Factor and the BRDF Correction Factor. CAS500-1/AEISS-C acquires satellite imagery using two Time Delay Integration (TDI) modes, and the absolute radiometric calibration coefficients were derived considering these TDI modes. The coefficient of determination (R2) ranged from 0.70 to 0.97 for the reflectance-based vicarious calibration and from 0.90 to 0.99 for the cross-calibration. For reflectance-based vicarious calibration, aerosol optical depth was identified as the primary source of uncertainty among atmospheric factors. For cross-calibration, the reference satellite and RTMs were the primary sources of uncertainty. The results of this study will support the monitoring of CAS500-1/AEISS-C, which produces high-resolution imagery with a spatial resolution of 2 m, and can serve as foundational material for absolute radiometric calibration procedures for other CAS500 satellites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Calibration, Validation, and Quality Assurance for Optical Remote Sensors)
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35 pages, 7000 KB  
Article
Laboratory Calibration Comparison of Hyperspectral Ocean Color Radiometers in the Frame of the FRM4SOC Phase 2 Project
by Viktor Vabson, Ilmar Ansko, Agnieszka Bialek, Michael E. Feinholz, Joel Kuusk, Ryan Lamb, Sabine Marty, Michael Ondrusek, Clemens Rammeloo, Eric Rehm, Riho Vendt, Kenneth J. Voss, Juan Ignacio Gossn and Ewa Kwiatkowska
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(22), 3692; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17223692 - 12 Nov 2025
Viewed by 984
Abstract
Variability across different calibration laboratories can impact the consistency of ocean color data; this study addresses that challenge through a coordinated comparison of spectral irradiance and radiance calibrations. As part of the Fiducial Reference Measurements for Satellite Ocean Color (FRM4SOC) Phase 2 project, [...] Read more.
Variability across different calibration laboratories can impact the consistency of ocean color data; this study addresses that challenge through a coordinated comparison of spectral irradiance and radiance calibrations. As part of the Fiducial Reference Measurements for Satellite Ocean Color (FRM4SOC) Phase 2 project, the metrological consistency across six international laboratories was tested in the years 2022–2023. Each participant determined the responsivity for four transfer radiometers using their own SI-traceable radiometric standards and calibration procedures. This was among the first laboratory comparisons for Ocean Color Radiometry (OCR) using hyperspectral radiometers. The main objective was to verify that the instrument manufacturers and research laboratories can fulfill the updated International Ocean Color Coordination Group (IOCCG) protocols to perform SI traceable calibrations with an uncertainty of 1% (k = 1) for irradiance and slightly more for radiance. The comparison revealed biases among participants and provided an overview of the calibration capabilities of OCRs. The differences between the participants varied from ±1 … 2% up to ±5%. Biases due to different measurement conditions were corrected by the Pilot. Furthermore, biases due to traceability and different conditions revealed several data handling errors. However, after uniform data processing, the metrological compatibility between the participants was reached within ±3%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Calibration, Validation, and Quality Assurance for Optical Remote Sensors)
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Other

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16 pages, 3321 KB  
Technical Note
In-Flight Radiometric Calibration of Gas Absorption Bands for the Gaofen-5 (02) DPC Using Sunglint
by Sifeng Zhu, Liguo Zhang, Yanqing Xie, Lili Qie, Zhengqiang Li, Miaomiao Zhang and Xiaochu Wang
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(21), 3558; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17213558 - 28 Oct 2025
Viewed by 664
Abstract
The Directional Polarimetric Camera (DPC) onboard the Gaofen-5 (02) satellite includes gas absorption bands that are crucial for the quantitative retrieval of clouds, atmospheric aerosols, and surface parameters. However, in-flight radiometric calibration of these bands remains challenging due to strong absorption features and [...] Read more.
The Directional Polarimetric Camera (DPC) onboard the Gaofen-5 (02) satellite includes gas absorption bands that are crucial for the quantitative retrieval of clouds, atmospheric aerosols, and surface parameters. However, in-flight radiometric calibration of these bands remains challenging due to strong absorption features and the lack of onboard calibration devices. In this study, a calibration method that exploits functional relationships between the reflectance ratios of gas absorption and adjacent reference bands and key surface–atmosphere parameters over sunglint were presented. Radiative transfer simulations were combined with polynomial fitting to establish these relationships, and prior knowledge of surface pressure and water vapor column concentration was incorporated to achieve high-precision calibration. Results show that the calibration uncertainty of the oxygen absorption band is mainly driven by surface pressure, with a total uncertainty of 3.01%. For the water vapor absorption band, uncertainties are primarily associated with water vapor column concentration and surface reflectance, yielding total uncertainties of 3.45%. Validation demonstrates the robustness of the proposed method: (1) cross-calibration using desert samples confirms the stability of the results, and (2) the retrieved surface pressure agrees with the DEM-derived estimates, and the retrieved total column water vapor agrees with the MODIS products, confirming the calibration. Overall, the method provides reliable in-flight calibration of DPC gas absorption bands on Gaofen-5 (02) and can be adapted to similar sensors with comparable spectral configurations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Calibration, Validation, and Quality Assurance for Optical Remote Sensors)
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