Focusing on hyperspectral technology, the team develops for the institute’s optical sensor systems fully tested measurement techniques for sensor characterization, sensor-independent calibration methodologies, and ways to extract information from hyperspectral data (reflection, emission, temperature, Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function, BRDF).
With support from the department’s Sensor Operations team, it operates aerial optical sensors (hyperspectral systems and cameras) for the Earth Observation Center (EOC), a number of field spectrometers, and a laboratory for calibrating such sensors, the so-called Calibration Home Base (CHB). This is the only laboratory in Europe capable of precisely characterizing instruments weighing up to 350 kg: radiometrically, geometrically, and spectrally from near UV to thermal infrared. Aerial measurement campaigns are conducted together with DFD for in-house and external users throughout Europe. This Optical Airborne Remote Sensing and Calibration Facility (OpAiRS) has ISO 9001:2008 certification.