Display reflectance: Basics,measurement, and rating

Abstract— In this paper, methods and instruments for measurement and evaluation of reflection characteristics are reviewed as needed for research and development of electronic displays and for material and surface modeling with ray‐tracing and rendering software packages. Contrast under ambient illumination and recognizability under daylight illumination are prime development targets in the electronic‐display field, while computation and synthesis of realistic scenes and objects are pushing the need for physical data in computer graphics applications. Three categories of instruments are available for detailed reflection analysis. They are based on (1) gonioscopic (mechanical) and conoscopic (optical) directional scanning, (2) imaging approaches, and (3) on arrangements with variable source or receiver aperture. The capabilities, advantages, and limitations of these methods are introduced and discussed in order to facilitate appropriate selection of methods and instruments. For illustration purposes we present typical results obtained from commercial electronic display screens. A basis for continued widespread implementation and standardization of reflection metrology as required for objective rating and comparison of electronic‐display screen performance under ambient illumination is provided.     

基于深度学习的图像本征属性预测方法综述

真实世界的外观主要取决于场景内对象的几何形状、表面材质及光照的方向和强度等图像的本 征属性。通过二维图像预测本征属性是计算机视觉和图形学中的经典问题,对于图像三维重建、增强现实等应 用具有重要意义。然而二维图像的本征属性预测是一个高维的、不适定的逆向问题,通过传统算法无法得到理 想结果。针对近年来随着深度学习在二维图像处理各个方面的应用,出现的大量利用深度学习对图像本征属性 进行预测的研究成果,首先介绍了基于深度学习的图像本征属性预测算法框架,分析了以获得场景反射率和阴 影图为主的本征图像预测、以获得图像中材质 BRDF 参数为主的本征属性预测及以获得图像光照相关信息为主 的本征属性预测 3 个方向的国内外研究进展并总结了各自方法的优缺点,最后指出了图像本征属性预测的研究 趋势和重点。     

Sparkle measurement revisited: A closer look at the details

Four years after introduction of the first instrument for measurement of sparkle, the foundations have been reconsidered, and the pool of practical experience has been analyzed to provide a more detailed and complete picture of the subject matter. The following aspects are introduced and discussed: observation conditions and resulting requirements for imaging (sampling) and filtering, analysis of spatial periods and frequencies as a basis for filtering, spatial filtering concepts, sparkle in the frequency domain, sparkle evaluation based on analysis of single images and difference images, origins of unwanted sparkle components, scaling and offset in sparkle evaluation, and verification of the method.     

An empirical anisotropy correction model for estimating land surface albedo for radiation budget studies

Land surface albedo is one of the key parameters in the radiation budget, the hydrological cycle and climate modeling studies. It is now widely understood that large errors may occur in the estimation of surface albedo without taking into consideration the anisotropy reflectance effect, which is a general feature of the earth surface. Two major anisotropic correction methods exist for the retrieval of land surface albedo under clear sky conditions. One method involves linearly converting from top of the atmosphere (TOA) albedo to surface albedo, and another is based on the inversion of the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) model of the surface. In the present study, a new approach that utilizes an empirical model for estimating surface albedo has been proposed for snow free land surfaces under clear sky conditions. We analyzed the bidirectional reflectance data set with numerous samples representing various land cover types, which derived from POLDER/ADEOS-1 multi-angle imagery data and distributed by MEDIAS-France. Through the analysis, an empirical relation between bidirectional reflectance and albedo was established and has been discussed in detail. The proposed model can be used for direct estimation of surface albedo from a single BRF observation when the sun-target-sensor geometry is known. No BRDF model inversion scheme is necessary. The present model has no or weak dependence on the existing land surface classifications, and is insensitive to wavelength. The theoretical absolute accuracy of the estimated albedo is approximately 0.010 for visible (0.4-0.7 μm), 0.023 for near infrared (0.7-3.0 μm) and 0.016 for shortwave (0.2-3.0 μm), respectively. Albedo consistency with viewing geometry has been verified, resulting in good agreement for albedo estimated from various viewing directions. Validation of the satellite estimated albedo derived by the proposed method, using field observations were also presented and results show it can give reasonably accurate estimation. The proposed method is expected to be a suitable candidate for practical applications of albedo estimation for sensors that do not perform multi-angle observations.     

An assessment of photosynthetic light use efficiency from space: Modeling the atmospheric and directional impacts on PRI reflectance

Estimation of photosynthetic light use efficiency (ε) from satellite observations is an important component of climate change research. The photochemical reflectance index, a narrow waveband index based on the reflectance at 531 and 570 nm, allows sampling of the photosynthetic activity of leaves; upscaling of these measurements to landscape and global scales, however, remains challenging. Only a few studies have used spaceborne observations of PRI so far, and research has largely focused on the MODIS sensor. Its daily global coverage and the capacity to detect a narrow reflectance band at 531 nm make it the best available choice for sensing ε from space. Previous results however, have identified a number of key issues with MODIS-based observations of PRI. First, the differences between the footprint of eddy covariance (EC) measurements and the MODIS footprint, which is determined by the sensor's observation geometry make a direct comparison between both data sources challenging and second, the PRI reflectance bands are affected by atmospheric scattering effects confounding the existing physiological signal. In this study we introduce a new approach for upscaling EC based ε measurements to MODIS. First, EC-measured ε values were “translated” into a tower-level optical PRI signal using AMSPEC, an automated multi-angular, tower-based spectroradiometer instrument. AMSPEC enabled us to adjust tower-measured PRI values to the individual viewing geometry of each MODIS overpass. Second, MODIS data were atmospherically corrected using a Multi-Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) algorithm, which uses a time series approach and an image-based rather than pixel-based processing for simultaneous retrievals of atmospheric aerosol and surface bidirectional reflectance (BRDF). Using this approach, we found a strong relationship between tower-based and spaceborne reflectance measurements (r² = 0.74, p < 0.01) throughout the vegetation period of 2006. Swath (non-gridded) observations yielded stronger correlations than gridded data (r² = 0.58, p < 0.01) both of which included forward and backscatter observations. Spaceborne PRI values were strongly related to canopy shadow fractions and varied with different levels of ε. We conclude that MAIAC-corrected MODIS observations were able to track the site-level physiological changes from space throughout the observation period.     

Quantitative Relationship Between Multi-Angle Polarized Reflectance and BRDF of Rock

1 IntroductionWhile the multi-spectral, multi-temporal andhyper-spectral remote sensing data are applied toenhance the ability to recognize the targets onground, more and more investigators have realizedthe influence and contribution of the angle informa-tion, namely the 3D spectrum characteristics of thetargets in 2π space, for recognizing and classifyingimages in remote sensing. The traditional unidirec-tional remote sensing can only obtain one directionprojection of targets; therefore it l…     

BRDF Measurement Modelling using Wavelets for Efficient Path Tracing

Physically based rendering needs numerical models from real measurements, or analytical models from material definitions, of the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF). However, measured BRDF data sets are too large and provide no functionalities to be practically used in Monte Carlo path tracing algorithms. In this paper, we present a wavelet‐based generic BRDF model suitable for both physical analysis and path tracing. The model is based on the separation of spectral and geometrical aspect of the BRDF and allows a compact and efficient representation of isotropic, anisotropic and/or spectral BRDFs. After a brief survey of BRDF and wavelet theory, we present our software architecture for generic wavelet transform and how to use it to model BRDFs. Then, modelling results are presented on real and virtual BRDF measurements. Finally, we show how to exploit the multiresolution property of the wavelet encoding to reduce the variance by importance sampling in a path tracing algorithm. ACM CSS: I.3.7 Computer Graphics—Three‐Dimensional Graphics and Realism     

Simulation of hyperspectral and directional radiance images using coupled biophysical and atmospheric radiative transfer models

Future remote sensing satellite missions exploring the earth will feature advanced hyperspectral and directional optical imaging instruments. Given the complex nature of the data to be expected from these missions, a thorough preparation for them is essential and this can be accomplished by realistic simulation of the imagery data, years before the actual launch. Based on given spectral and directional capabilities of the instrument, and in combination with biophysical land surface properties obtained from existing imagery, the spectral and directional responses of several types of vegetation and bare soil have been simulated pixel by pixel using the radiative transfer models PROSPECT (for hyperspectral leaf reflectance and transmittance), GeoSAIL (for two-layer canopy bidirectional spectral reflectance), and MODTRAN4 (for atmospheric hyperspectral and directional effects). In this way, one obtains realistically simulated hyperspectral and directional top-of-atmosphere spectral radiance images, with all major effects included, such as heterogeneity of the landscape, non-Lambertian reflectance of the land surface, the atmospheric adjacency effect, and the limited spatial resolution of the instrument. The output of the image simulations can be used to demonstrate the capabilities of future earth observation missions. In addition, instrument specifications and image acquisition strategies might be optimized on the basis of simulated image analysis results, and new advanced data assimilation procedures could be validated with realistic inputs under controlled circumstances. This paper describes the applied methodology, the study area with the input images, the set-up of the actual image simulations, and discusses the final results obtained.     

A simulation analysis of the detectability of understory burns in miombo woodlands

The miombo woodlands of southern Africa are one of the most extensively burned biomes in the tropics. The detectability of understory burns in these woodlands was assessed with a sensitivity analysis approach, based on a hybrid geometrical-optical radiative transfer model. Model input data were obtained from a variety of sources, including field biometry and spectroradiometry, and satellite data. The effects of variable tree percent cover, leaf area index, stand density, burn scar age, illumination and observation geometry, and spectral region, were taken into account. Detectability of understory burns was defined as the spectral separability of burned and unburned understory, measured with the Jeffries-Matusita distance, for all possible combinations of the green, red, and near-infrared channels of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) sensor. Single channels, or pairwise combinations of channels perform poorly at detecting understory burns, but a large improvement in detectability is obtained for the combination of the three spectral domains. The detectability of understory burns is largely insensitive to the effects of stand structure and illumination/observation geometry, and depends primarily on burn scar age. Our results agree with those of previous satellite-based studies of burns scar detectability in African savanna woodlands.     

A new instrument for passive remote sensing: 2. Measurement of leaf and canopy reflectance changes at 531 nm and their relationship with photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence

A previously described passive remote sensing fluorimeter (see companion paper) was modified to detect changes in the reflectance of vegetation. The utility of this remote sensing technique to measure the Physiological Reflectance Index (PRI) is shown at both leaf level under laboratory conditions and at the canopy level in the field. PRI, defined as the relative changes in reflectance at 531 nm with respect to those at 570 nm (PRI=R531−R570/R531+R570), is related to xanthophyll-related, dynamic changes of non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence. The robustness of this relationship by simultaneous remote sensing of PRI and chlorophyll fluorescence is strengthened. At the leaf level, the existence of two kinetically distinct components of PRI is shown. A fast (within seconds) component that is partly attributed to ΔpH induced chloroplast shrinkage, and a slow (within minutes), main component that is related to xanthophyll de-epoxidation, as demonstrated by its disappearance in the presence of DTT. Overall, PRI correlated better with non-photochemical quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence (NPQ) than with any other measured parameter, including the photochemical efficiency of PSII. Finally, at the canopy level and under field conditions, it is shown that PRI can be a useful tool for remote sensing of water stress in grapevines.