Signal to Noise Ratio
The signal to noise ratio is important for the design
of remote sensing systems. All electronic systems have inherent
noise, and the sensor must collect enough electronic information
("Signal") so that it stands out from the random noise.
More signal can be collected by:
- Larger pixel size, integrating over a larger area on the
ground.
- Lower spectral resolution, or larger channel/band sizes.
If you merge "colors" there will be more
energy. Black and white (panchromatic) sensors collect
more energy than color sensors which divide the same
amount of light in multiple categories, each of which
must be measured separately. This is larger spectral
bandwidth.
- Choosing shorter wavelengths, which provide more energy. The is more energy in the
visible, than in the infrared, which in turn has more
energy than the microwave.
Satellite band tradeoffs.
Last revision 2/5/2005