Quantitative Determination Of Imaging Spectrometer Specifications Based On Spectral Mixing Models

New sensor development requires a translation of scientific requirements into functional requirements to guide the engineering design of an' instrument. We have developed a model to aid in the design of the High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS), a facility instrument slated for the EOS mission . The model is based on the concept that scientific requirements for an imaging spectrometer can be stated in terms of the absolute error allowable in determining the abundance of a given surface material in the presence of others. Pure end member materials are represented by a library of spectral reflectance curves. For any library and a required abundance accuracy, the model yields values of spectral and radiometric resolution required. The latter can be expressed in terms of signal-to-noise ratio. These parameters can be translated into optics performance and data rates that ultimately determine the cost of the instrument.