ISO/TS 19124-1:2023
(Main)Geographic information — Calibration and validation of remote sensing data and derived products — Part 1: Fundamentals
Geographic information — Calibration and validation of remote sensing data and derived products — Part 1: Fundamentals
The ISO 19124 series is focused on calibration and validation (Cal/Val) of remote sensing data, which are collected by a sensor on-board a platform in a mission, and products derived in part or whole from the data. The ISO 19124 series defines the metadata related to the calibration and validation process that has not been defined in other ISO/TC 211 International Standards. The metadata allows the data providers to provide a standardized description of the Cal/Val process they have applied to the data. It allows the data users to get the same forms of metadata from different data providers. This document addresses the overall framework and common calibration and validation processes related to Earth observation data and derived products from different types of remote sensors. Subsequent parts in the ISO 19124 series will target data from specific sensors, for example, infrared, ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared, microwave, or broadband, products derived from those data, and calibration and validation sites. Calibration addresses a geometric, radiometric, or spectral correction of the data. Validation addresses an evaluation of the quality and the accuracy of the data and the derived products.
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TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 19124-1
First edition
2023-04
Geographic information — Calibration
and validation of remote sensing data
and derived products —
Part 1:
Fundamentals
Reference number
ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
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or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms.7
5 Calibration of remote sensing data .10
5.1 Introduction . 10
5.2 Relationship between the data calibration and sensor calibration . 11
5.3 General framework . 11
6 Pre-launch calibration .16
6.1 Introduction . 16
6.2 Use of pre-launch calibration results in data calibration . 16
7 Post-launch calibration .16
7.1 Goals . 16
7.2 General demands . 16
7.3 On-board calibration against known sources . 17
7.4 Early operations . 17
7.5 Intensive calibration and validation . 18
8 Calibration reference sources .18
8.1 Introduction . 18
8.2 Active optical instruments . 18
8.3 Passive optical instruments, visible and NIR, SWIR, MWIR, TIR, and FIR spectrum . 19
8.3.1 Introduction . 19
8.3.2 On-orbit calibration sources . 19
8.3.3 Solar diffusers . . . 19
8.3.4 White light sources .20
8.3.5 Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) . 20
8.3.6 Tuneable laser diodes .20
8.3.7 Black bodies .20
8.3.8 Celestial objects . 20
8.4 Active microwave instruments .23
8.4.1 Introduction . 23
8.4.2 SAR missions . 24
8.5 Passive microwave instruments . 24
8.6 Instruments with a sensitivity in other regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum . 24
8.7 Sound . . 25
8.8 Calibration and validation sites . 25
8.8.1 Introduction . 25
8.8.2 Pseudo invariant calibration/validation sites (PICS) . 25
8.8.3 Calibration and validation sites . 25
9 Calibration methods.26
9.1 Introduction . 26
9.2 On-orbit cross-calibration . 26
9.3 Vicarious calibration . 26
9.4 Sensor performance trending . 27
10 Validation of derived products .27
10.1 Validation process . 27
10.1.1 General . 27
10.1.2 Data . 27
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
10.1.3 Quality check / Homogenization .28
10.1.4 Spatio-temporal co-location .28
10.1.5 Metric calculation .28
10.1.6 Analysis and interpretation .28
10.2 Generic validation process . 32
10.3 Data product validation . 33
10.4 Maturity of data product validation . 33
10.5 Validation planning .34
10.5.1 Phase E1 .34
10.5.2 Phase E2 / main validation phase . 35
10.5.3 Phase E2 / routine operation validation . 35
10.5.4 Phase E2 / data and algorithm evolution . 35
10.5.5 Phase F . . 35
10.6 Recommendations . 35
11 The ISO 19124 series .36
11.1 Introduction . 36
11.2 Imaging instruments .36
11.2.1 Infrared instruments .36
11.2.2 Ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared instruments . 37
11.2.3 Microwave instruments . 37
11.3 Non-imaging instruments . 37
Annex A (normative) Abstract test suite .38
Annex B (normative) Data dictionary .41
Annex C (informative) Detailed description of calibration and validation (supplementary
information for Annex B) .48
Bibliography .54
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 211, Geographic information/Geomatics.
A list of all parts in the ISO 19124 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Introduction
The ISO 19124 series addresses post-launch calibration and validation (Cal/Val) of remotely sensed
data and products derived from the data. This document, ISO 19124-1, provides the fundamentals and
a common framework on Cal/Val of remote-sensing data and derived products. Subsequent parts of the
ISO 19124 series deal with sensor- or product-specific Cal/Val.
NOTE In contrast to the ISO 19124 series, the ISO 19159 series focuses on the pre-launch Cal/Val process of
the sensor and hardware.
This document was drafted based on material provided by the major organizations that are active in
this field such as CEOS (international), NASA (USA), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), CSIRO (Australia), and
the Chinese space agency.
In accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, 2018, Rules for the structure and drafting of
International Standards, in International Standards the decimal sign is a comma on the line. However,
the General Conference on Weights and Measures (Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures) at its
meeting in 2003 passed unanimously the following resolution:
“The decimal marker shall be either a point on the line or a comma on the line.”
In practice, the choice between these alternatives depends on customary use in the language concerned.
In the technical areas of geodesy and geographic information it is customary for the decimal point
always to be used, for all languages. That practice is used throughout this document.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Geographic information — Calibration and validation of
remote sensing data and derived products —
Part 1:
Fundamentals
1 Scope
The ISO 19124 series is focused on calibration and validation (Cal/Val) of remote sensing data, which
are collected by a sensor on-board a platform in a mission, and products derived in part or whole from
the data. The ISO 19124 series defines the metadata related to the calibration and validation process
that has not been defined in other ISO/TC 211 International Standards. The metadata allows the data
providers to provide a standardized description of the Cal/Val process they have applied to the data. It
allows the data users to get the same forms of metadata from different data providers.
This document addresses the overall framework and common calibration and validation processes
related to Earth observation data and derived products from different types of remote sensors.
Subsequent parts in the ISO 19124 series will target data from specific sensors, for example, infrared,
ultraviolet/visible/near-infrared, microwave, or broadband, products derived from those data, and
calibration and validation sites.
Calibration addresses a geometric, radiometric, or spectral correction of the data. Validation addresses
an evaluation of the quality and the accuracy of the data and the derived products.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 19157-1, Geographic information — Data quality — Part 1: General requirements
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
accuracy
closeness of agreement between a test result or measurement result and the true value
[SOURCE: ISO 3534-2:2006, 3.1.1, modified — Notes to entry have been removed.]
3.2
bias
magnitude of the non-random or systematic errors of a result
Note 1 to entry: A bias can be positive or negative.
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Note 2 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [9].
3.3
calibration
process of quantitatively defining a system’s responses to the known, controlled signal inputs
[SOURCE: ISO 19101-2:2018, 3.2]
3.4
calibration curve
expression of the relation between indication and corresponding measured quantity value
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 4.31, modified — Note 1 to entry has been removed.]
3.5
calibration equation
equation relating the primary measure and that of the radiometer, for example the brightness
temperature, to subsidiary measurands, such as powers, and to calibration quantities, such as standard
values
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-4:2022, 3.15]
3.6
calibration parameters
information generated (or that will be generated) during the course of a calibration that quantifies and/
or describes the Earth observation (EO) sensor performance
Note 1 to entry: These parameters may be laboratory measurement, thermal vacuum (TVAC) performance plots,
or sheets (as allowed).
Note 2 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
3.7
co-location
procedure to match the location of two or more spatial datasets
3.8
correction
compensation for an estimated systematic effect
Note 1 to entry: See ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008, 3.2.3, for an explanation of ‘systematic effect’.
Note 2 to entry: The compensation can take different forms, such as an addend or a factor, or can be deduced
from a table.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.53]
3.9
cross-calibration
process of relating the measurements of one instrument to another instrument which is usually well-
calibrated, serving as a reference
Note 1 to entry: Cross-calibration of instruments operating during the same period requires careful collocation
wherein instrument outputs are compared when the instruments are viewing the same Earth scenes, at the same
times, from the same viewing angles.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-4:2022, 3.18]
3.10
derived product
product that is not directly measured by sensors but derived from direct sensor
measures by algorithms or models
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
3.11
detector
sensing element that generates an output signal in response to an energy input
[SOURCE: ISO 19130-1:2018, 3.18, modified — The domain has been added to the
entry and "device" has been replaced by "sensing element" at the beginning of the definition.]
3.12
emissivity
ratio of the energy radiated by an emissive surface relative to that of an ideal blackbody source at the
same temperature
Note 1 to entry: It is generally related as a function of wavelength or frequency, emissivity values range from
0 to 1.
Note 2 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
3.13
evaluation
systematic determination of the extent to which an entity meets its specified
criteria
Note 1 to entry: The entity can be an item or activity.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 25001:2014, 4.1, modified — The domain and a new Note 1 to
entry have been added.]
3.14
filter
optical device that is placed in the optical path of an Earth observation (EO) sensor
to select, restrict, reject, limit or adjust an EO sensor response
Note 1 to entry: The range of desired wavelengths/frequencies to be passed by an optical filter is called the
"bandpass". This is generally defined by the cut-on and cut-off wavelengths/frequencies of the optical filter.
Note 2 to entry: The EO sensor response to the optical wavelengths/frequencies within the desired optical filter
bandpass is called the "in-band response".
Note 3 to entry: The ability of an optical filter (or optical system) to reject optical energy outside the desired
wavelengths/frequencies is referred to as "out-of-band (OOB) blocking". This can also refer to filter design
specifications regarding the ability to reject optical energy outside the desired filter bandpass.
Note 4 to entry: Undesired optical energy that passes through an optical filter (or optical system) that has a
spectral location outside the desired spectral bandpass is called " OOB leakage".
Note 5 to entry: An EO sensor’s response to OOB leakage is called the "OOB response".
Note 6 to entry: The ratio of the open-path throughput of an optical path with and without the filter is called
"transmittance". Generally expressed as a function of wavelength or optical frequency, transmittance values
range from 0 to 1, or 0 % to 100 % if expressed in percent transmittance.
Note 7 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
3.15
irradiance
electro-magnetic radiation energy per unit area per unit time
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-1:2014, 4.13, modified —Note 1 to entry has been removed.]
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
3.16
measure
value described using a numeric amount with a scale or using a scalar reference system
Note 1 to entry: When used as a noun, measure is a synonym for physical quantity.
[SOURCE: ISO 19136-1:2020, 3.1.41]
3.17
measurement
set of operations having the object of determining the value of a quantity
[SOURCE: ISO 19101-2:2018, 3.21]
3.18
measurement error
error of measurement
error
measured quantity value minus a reference quantity value
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-1:2014, 4.18, modified — Notes to entry have been removed.]
3.19
noise
unwanted signal which can corrupt the measurement
Note 1 to entry: In most measurement scenarios, measurement noise limitations challenge measurement
objectives and are a major contributor to overall measurement uncertainty.
Note 2 to entry: Noise equivalent radiance (NER) is the entity of radiance that is most appropriate for the
description of radiant flux from an extended area source. The NER is the amount of radiant flux that produces a
signal equal to the system’s noise when viewing an extended source.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-1:2014, 4.22, modified — The original Note 1 to entry has been removed and
two new Notes to entry have been added.]
3.20
point source
source of electromagnetic radiation that is resolved in the ideal case to a single point or direction in
space
Note 1 to entry: A natural star is an ideal point source. In the laboratory on the ground, a point source is simulated
using an optical collimator.
Note 2 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
3.21
post-launch calibration
all calibration activities that occur after a satellite-based Earth observation (EO) sensor is on-orbit
Note 1 to entry: The post-launch calibration may also be referred to as on-orbit calibration.
Note 2 to entry: The scope of the post-launch calibration varies from program to program and sensor to sensor,
and includes considerations such as mission objectives, measurement requirements, mission operations
capabilities, sensor data collection capabilities, and the ability to downlink low-level sensor response data to the
ground.
Note 3 to entry: Post-launch calibration activities are included in the calibration plan and are executed according
to the post-launch calibration procedures.
Note 4 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
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3.22
precision
measurement precision
closeness of agreement between indications or measured quantity values obtained by replicate
measurements on the same or similar objects under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-2:2016, 4.23, modified — Notes to entry have been removed and the original
preferred term and admitted terms have been inversed.]
3.23
pre-launch calibration
sequence of measurement and characterization that takes place during and after instrument assembly
and integration, prior to launch
Note 1 to entry: Pre-launch calibration provides the best or only chance to measure calibration key data (CKD)
such as spectral response, linearity and polarization sensitivity, and also provides an important quality control
and validation function to pr
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Geographic information — Calibration and validation of remote sensing data and derived
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ISO/TS 19124-1:####
Contents Formatted: Space Before: 48 pt, Don't adjust space
between Latin and Asian text, Don't adjust space
between Asian text and numbers
Foreword . v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviations . 7
In the technical areas of geodesy and geographic information it is customary for the
decimal point always to be used, for all languages. That practice is used throughout
this document. . 10
5 Calibration of remote sensing data . 10
5.1 Introduction . 10
5.2 Relationship between the data calibration and sensor calibration . 10
5.3 General framework . 10
6 Pre-launch calibration . 14
6.1 Introduction . 14
6.2 Use of pre-launch calibration results in data calibration . 15
7 Post-launch calibration . 15
7.1 Goals . 15
7.2 General demands . 15
7.3 On-board calibration against known sources . 15
7.4 Early operations . 16
7.5 Intensive calibration and validation . 16
8 Calibration reference sources . 16
8.1 Introduction . 16
8.2 Active optical instruments . 17
8.3 Passive optical instruments, visible and NIR, SWIR, MWIR, TIR, and FIR spectrum . 17
8.3.1 Introduction . 17
8.3.2 On-orbit calibration sources . 17
8.3.3 Solar diffusers . 17
8.3.4 White light sources . 18
8.3.5 Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) . 18
8.3.6 Tuneable laser diodes . 18
8.3.7 Black bodies . 19
8.3.8 Celestial objects . 19
8.4 Active microwave instruments . 23
8.4.1 Introduction . 23
8.4.2 SAR missions . 24
8.5 Passive microwave instruments . 24
8.6 Instruments with a sensitivity in other regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum . 24
8.7 Sound. 24
8.8 Calibration and validation sites . 25
8.8.1 Introduction . 25
8.8.2 Pseudo invariant calibration/validation sites (PICS) . 25
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ISO/TS 19124-1:####
8.8.3 Calibration and validation sites . 25
9 Calibration methods . 26
9.1 Introduction . 26
9.2 On-orbit cross-calibration . 26
9.3 Vicarious calibration. 26
9.4 Sensor performance trending . 26
10 Validation of derived products . 27
10.1 Validation process . 27
10.1.1 General . 27
10.1.2 Data . 27
10.1.3 Quality check / Homogenization . 27
10.1.4 Spatio-temporal co-location . 28
10.1.5 Metric calculation . 28
10.1.6 Analysis and interpretation . 28
10.2 Validation steps . 31
10.3 Generic validation process . 31
10.4 Data product validation . 33
10.5 Maturity of data product validation . 33
10.6 Validation planning . 35
10.6.1 Phase E1 . 35
10.6.2 Phase E2 / main validation phase . 35
10.6.3 Phase E2 / routine operation validation . 35
10.6.4 Phase E2 / data and algorithm evolution . 35
10.6.5 Phase F . 35
10.7 Recommendations . 36
11 Parts of the ISO 19124 series of standards . 36
11.1 Introduction . 36
11.2 Imaging instruments . 37
11.2.1 Infrared instruments . 37
11.2.2 Ultraviolet, visible, and near-Infrared instruments . 37
11.2.3 Microwave instruments . 37
11.3 Non-imaging instruments . 37
Annex A (normative) Abstract test suite . 38
Annex B (normative) Data dictionary . 42
Annex C (informative) Detailed description of calibration and validation, Additional
information for Annex B . 52
Bibliography . 59
Foreword . vii
Introduction . viii
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms . 8
5 Calibration of remote sensing data . 12
5.1 Introduction . 12
5.2 Relationship between the data calibration and sensor calibration . 13
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ISO/TS 19124-1:####
5.3 General framework . 13
6 Pre-launch calibration . 20
6.1 Introduction . 20
6.2 Use of pre-launch calibration results in data calibration . 20
7 Post-launch calibration . 21
7.1 Goals . 21
7.2 General demands . 21
7.3 On-board calibration against known sources . 21
7.4 Early operations . 22
7.5 Intensive calibration and validation . 22
8 Calibration reference sources . 23
8.1 Introduction . 23
8.2 Active optical instruments . 23
8.3 Passive optical instruments, visible and NIR, SWIR, MWIR, TIR, and FIR spectrum . 24
8.3.1 Introduction . 24
8.3.2 On-orbit calibration sources . 24
8.3.3 Solar diffusers . 24
8.3.4 White light sources . 25
8.3.5 Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) . 25
8.3.6 Tuneable laser diodes . 25
8.3.7 Black bodies . 25
8.3.8 Celestial objects . 26
8.4 Active microwave instruments . 31
8.4.1 Introduction . 31
8.4.2 SAR missions . 32
8.5 Passive microwave instruments . 32
8.6 Instruments with a sensitivity in other regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum . 33
8.7 Sound. 33
8.8 Calibration and validation sites . 33
8.8.1 Introduction . 33
8.8.2 Pseudo invariant calibration/validation sites (PICS) . 33
8.8.3 Calibration and validation sites . 33
9 Calibration methods . 34
9.1 Introduction . 34
9.2 On-orbit cross-calibration . 34
9.3 Vicarious calibration . 34
9.4 Sensor performance trending . 35
10 Validation of derived products . 35
10.1 Validation process . 35
10.1.1 General . 35
10.1.2 Data . 36
10.1.3 Quality check / Homogenization . 36
10.1.4 Spatio-temporal co-location . 36
10.1.5 Metric calculation . 36
10.1.6 Analysis and interpretation . 36
10.2 Generic validation process . 43
10.3 Data product validation . 45
10.4 Maturity of data product validation . 45
10.5 Validation planning . 47
10.5.1 Phase E1 . 47
10.5.2 Phase E2 / main validation phase. 47
10.5.3 Phase E2 / routine operation validation . 48
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ISO/TS 19124-1:####
10.5.4 Phase E2 / data and algorithm evolution . 48
10.5.5 Phase F . 48
10.6 Recommendations . 48
11 The ISO 19124 series . 49
11.1 Introduction . 49
11.2 Imaging instruments . 49
11.2.1 Infrared instruments . 49
11.2.2 Ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared instruments . 49
11.2.3 Microwave instruments . 49
11.3 Non-imaging instruments . 50
Annex A (normative) Abstract test suite . 51
Annex B (normative) Data dictionary . 55
Annex C (informative) Detailed description of calibration and validation (supplementary
information for Annex B) . 64
Bibliography . 72
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ISO/TS 19124-1:####
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national
Formatted: English (United States)
standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally
carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a
technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee.
International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in
the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all
matters of electrotechnical standardization.
Formatted: English (United States)
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
Formatted: English (United States)
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Formatted: English (United States)
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
Formatted: English (United States)
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
Formatted: Font color: Auto, English (United States)
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 211, Geographic information/Geomatics.
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ISO/TS 19124-1:####
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Introduction
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PostThe ISO 19124 series addresses post-launch calibration and validation (Cal/Val) of remotely
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TECHNICAL ISO/TS
SPECIFICATION 19124-1
First edition
Geographic information — Calibration
and validation of remote sensing data
and derived products —
Part 1:
Fundamentals
PROOF/ÉPREUVE
Reference number
ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
© ISO 2023
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Symbols and abbreviated terms.7
5 Calibration of remote sensing data .10
5.1 Introduction . 10
5.2 Relationship between the data calibration and sensor calibration . 11
5.3 General framework . 11
6 Pre-launch calibration .15
6.1 Introduction . 15
6.2 Use of pre-launch calibration results in data calibration . 15
7 Post-launch calibration .15
7.1 Goals . 15
7.2 General demands . 15
7.3 On-board calibration against known sources . 16
7.4 Early operations . 16
7.5 Intensive calibration and validation . 17
8 Calibration reference sources .17
8.1 Introduction . 17
8.2 Active optical instruments . 17
8.3 Passive optical instruments, visible and NIR, SWIR, MWIR, TIR, and FIR spectrum . 18
8.3.1 Introduction . 18
8.3.2 On-orbit calibration sources . 18
8.3.3 Solar diffusers . . . 18
8.3.4 White light sources . 19
8.3.5 Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) . 19
8.3.6 Tuneable laser diodes . 19
8.3.7 Black bodies . 19
8.3.8 Celestial objects . 19
8.4 Active microwave instruments .22
8.4.1 Introduction . 22
8.4.2 SAR missions .23
8.5 Passive microwave instruments . 23
8.6 Instruments with a sensitivity in other regions of the electro-magnetic spectrum .23
8.7 Sound . . 24
8.8 Calibration and validation sites . 24
8.8.1 Introduction . 24
8.8.2 Pseudo invariant calibration/validation sites (PICS) . 24
8.8.3 Calibration and validation sites . 24
9 Calibration methods.25
9.1 Introduction . 25
9.2 On-orbit cross-calibration . 25
9.3 Vicarious calibration . 25
9.4 Sensor performance trending .26
10 Validation of derived products .26
10.1 Validation process .26
10.1.1 General . 26
10.1.2 Data . 26
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
10.1.3 Quality check / Homogenization . 27
10.1.4 Spatio-temporal co-location . 27
10.1.5 Metric calculation . 27
10.1.6 Analysis and interpretation . 27
10.2 Generic validation process . 31
10.3 Data product validation . 32
10.4 Maturity of data product validation . 32
10.5 Validation planning . 33
10.5.1 Phase E1 . 33
10.5.2 Phase E2 / main validation phase .34
10.5.3 Phase E2 / routine operation validation .34
10.5.4 Phase E2 / data and algorithm evolution .34
10.5.5 Phase F . .34
10.6 Recommendations .34
11 The ISO 19124 series .35
11.1 Introduction . 35
11.2 Imaging instruments . 35
11.2.1 Infrared instruments . 35
11.2.2 Ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared instruments .36
11.2.3 Microwave instruments . 36
11.3 Non-imaging instruments . 36
Annex A (normative) Abstract test suite .37
Annex B (normative) Data dictionary .40
Annex C (informative) Detailed description of calibration and validation (supplementary
information for Annex B) .47
Bibliography .53
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to
the World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT), see
www.iso.org/iso/foreword.html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 211, Geographic information/Geomatics.
A list of all parts in the ISO 19124 series can be found on the ISO website.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Introduction
The ISO 19124 series addresses post-launch calibration and validation (Cal/Val) of remotely sensed
data and products derived from the data. This document, ISO 19124-1, provides the fundamentals and
a common framework on Cal/Val of remote-sensing data and derived products. Subsequent parts of the
ISO 19124 series deal with sensor- or product-specific Cal/Val.
NOTE In contrast to the ISO 19124 series, the ISO 19159 series focuses on the pre-launch Cal/Val process of
the sensor and hardware.
This document was drafted based on material provided by the major organizations that are active in
this field such as CEOS (international), NASA (USA), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), CSIRO (Australia, and
the Chinese space agency.
In accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2, 2018, Rules for the structure and drafting of
International Standards, in International Standards the decimal sign is a comma on the line. However,
the General Conference on Weights and Measures (Conférence Générale des Poids et Mesures) at its
meeting in 2003 passed unanimously the following resolution:
“The decimal marker shall be either a point on the line or a comma on the line.”
In practice, the choice between these alternatives depends on customary use in the language concerned.
In the technical areas of geodesy and geographic information it is customary for the decimal point
always to be used, for all languages. That practice is used throughout this document.
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TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Geographic information — Calibration and validation of
remote sensing data and derived products —
Part 1:
Fundamentals
1 Scope
The ISO 19124 series is focused on calibration and validation (Cal/Val) of remote sensing data, which
are collected by a sensor on-board a platform in a mission, and products derived in part or whole from
the data. The ISO 19124 series defines the metadata related to the calibration and validation process
that has not been defined in other ISO/TC 211 International Standards. The metadata allows the data
providers to provide a standardized description of the Cal/Val process they have applied to the data
and the data users to get the same forms of metadata from different data providers.
This document addresses the overall framework and common calibration and validation processes
related to Earth observation data and derived products from different types of remote sensors.
Subsequent parts in the ISO 19124 series will target data from specific sensors, e.g. infrared, ultraviolet/
visible/near-infrared, microwave, or broadband, products derived from those data, and calibration and
validation sites.
Calibration addresses a geometric, radiometric, or spectral correction of the data. Validation addresses
an evaluation of the quality and the accuracy of the data and the derived products.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 19157-1, Geographic information — Data quality — Part 1: General requirements
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
accuracy
closeness of agreement between a test result or measurement result and the true value
[SOURCE: ISO 3534-2:2006, 3.1.1, modified — Notes to entry have been removed.]
3.2
bias
magnitude of the non-random or systematic errors of a result
Note 1 to entry: A bias can be positive or negative.
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
Note 2 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [9].
3.3
calibration
process of quantitatively defining a system’s responses to the known, controlled signal inputs
[SOURCE: ISO 19101-2:2018, 3.2]
3.4
calibration curve
expression of the relation between indication and corresponding measured quantity value
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 4.31, modified — Note 1 to entry has been removed.]
3.5
calibration equation
equation relating the primary measure and that of the radiometer, for example the brightness
temperature, to subsidiary measurands, such as powers, and to calibration quantities, such as standard
values
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-4:2022, 3.15]
3.6
calibration parameters
information generated (or that will be generated) during the course of a calibration that quantifies and/
or describes the Earth observation (EO) sensor performance
Note 1 to entry: These parameters may be laboratory measurement, thermal vacuum (TVAC) performance plots,
or sheets (as allowed).
Note 2 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
3.7
co-location
procedure to match the location of two or more spatial datasets
3.8
correction
compensation for an estimated systematic effect
Note 1 to entry: See ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008, 3.2.3, for an explanation of ‘systematic effect’.
Note 2 to entry: The compensation can take different forms, such as an addend or a factor, or can be deduced
from a table.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007, 2.53]
3.9
cross-calibration
process of relating the measurements of one instrument to another instrument which is usually well-
calibrated, serving as a reference
Note 1 to entry: Cross-calibration of instruments operating during the same period requires careful collocation
wherein instrument outputs are compared when the instruments are viewing the same Earth scenes, at the same
times, from the same viewing angles.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-4:2022, 3.18]
3.10
derived product
product that is not directly measured by sensors but derived from direct sensor
measures by algorithms or models
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ISO/TS 19124-1:2023(E)
3.11
detector
sensing element that generates an output signal in response to an energy input
[SOURCE: ISO 19130-1:2018, 3.18, modified — The domain has been added to the
entry and "device" has been replaced by "sensing element" at the beginning of the definition.]
3.12
emissivity
ratio of the energy radiated by an emissive surface relative to that of an ideal blackbody source at the
same temperature
Note 1 to entry: It is generally related as a function of wavelength or frequency, emissivity values range from
0 to 1.
Note 2 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
3.13
evaluation
systematic determination of the extent to which an entity meets its specified
criteria
Note 1 to entry: The entity can be an item or activity.
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 25001:2014, 4.1, modified — The domain and a new Note 1 to
entry have been added.]
3.14
filter
optical device that is placed in the optical path of an Earth observation (EO) sensor
to select, restrict, reject, limit or adjust an EO sensor response
Note 1 to entry: The range of desired wavelengths/frequencies to be passed by an optical filter is called the
"bandpass". This is generally defined by the cut-on and cut-off wavelengths/frequencies of the optical filter.
Note 2 to entry: The EO sensor response to the optical wavelengths/frequencies within the desired optical filter
bandpass is called the "in-band response".
Note 3 to entry: The ability of an optical filter (or optical system) to reject optical energy outside the desired
wavelengths/frequencies is referred to as "out-of-band (OOB) blocking". This can also refer to filter design
specifications regarding the ability to reject optical energy outside the desired filter bandpass.
Note 4 to entry: Undesired optical energy that passes through an optical filter (or optical system) that has a
spectral location outside the desired spectral bandpass is called " OOB leakage".
Note 5 to entry: An EO sensor’s response to OOB leakage is called the "OOB response".
Note 6 to entry: The ratio of the open-path throughput of an optical path with and without the filter is called
"transmittance". Generally expressed as a function of wavelength or optical frequency, transmittance values
range from 0 to 1, or 0 % to 100 % if expressed in percent transmittance.
Note 7 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
3.15
irradiance
electro-magnetic radiation energy per unit area per unit time
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-1:2014, 4.13, modified —Note 1 to entry has been removed.]
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3.16
measure
value described using a numeric amount with a scale or using a scalar reference system
Note 1 to entry: When used as a noun, measure is a synonym for physical quantity.
[SOURCE: ISO 19136-1:2020, 3.1.41]
3.17
measurement
set of operations having the object of determining the value of a quantity
[SOURCE: ISO 19101-2:2018, 3.21]
3.18
measurement error
error of measurement
error
measured quantity value minus a reference quantity value
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-1:2014, 4.18, modified — Notes to entry have been removed.]
3.19
noise
unwanted signal which can corrupt the measurement
Note 1 to entry: In most measurement scenarios, measurement noise limitations challenge measurement
objectives and are a major contributor to overall measurement uncertainty.
Note 2 to entry: Noise equivalent radiance (NER) is the entity of radiance that is most appropriate for the
description of radiant flux from an extended area source. The NER is the amount of radiant flux that produces a
signal equal to the system’s noise when viewing an extended source.
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-1:2014, 4.22, modified — The original Note 1 to entry has been removed and
two new Notes to entry have been added.]
3.20
point source
source of electromagnetic radiation that is resolved in the ideal case to a single point or direction in
space
Note 1 to entry: A natural star is an ideal point source. In the laboratory on the ground, a point source is simulated
using an optical collimator.
Note 2 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
3.21
post-launch calibration
all calibration activities that occur after a satellite-based Earth observation (EO) sensor is on-orbit
Note 1 to entry: The post-launch calibration may also be referred to as on-orbit calibration.
Note 2 to entry: The scope of the post-launch calibration varies from program to program and sensor to sensor,
and includes considerations such as mission objectives, measurement requirements, mission operations
capabilities, sensor data collection capabilities, and the ability to downlink low-level sensor response data to the
ground.
Note 3 to entry: Post-launch calibration activities are included in the calibration plan and are executed according
to the post-launch calibration procedures.
Note 4 to entry: This entry is adapted from Reference [12].
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3.22
precision
measurement precision
closeness of agreement between indications or measured quantity values obtained by replicate
measurements on the same or similar objects under specified conditions
[SOURCE: ISO/TS 19159-2:2016, 4.23, modified — Notes to entry have been removed and the original
preferred term and admitted terms have been inversed.]
3.23
pre-launch calibration
sequence of measurement and characterization that takes place during and after instrument assembly
and integration, prior to launch
Note 1 to entry: Pre-launch calibration provides the best or only chance to measure calibration key data (CKD)
such as spectral response, linearity a
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