Modeling noise equivalent change in radiance (NEdN) for the Crosstrack Infrared Sounder (CrIS)

It is important in any remote sensing radiometer to identify and characterize the noise and error sources of the radiometer. At ITT, we have produced a number models to characterize noise and its impacts. The latest noise model is for the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) instrument which is part the National Polar-orbiting Operational Satellite System (NPOESS). The required accuracy of the instrument demands identifying and characterizing the noise and random error sources to lower the risk of poor instrument performance. This paper lists the sources of noises and random errors identified in the CrIS sensor and compares model predictions to measurements from the first CrIS Engineering Development Unit (EDU).