A comparative assessment of UK‐DMC and Landsat‐7 ETM+satellite data

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential of the DMC satellite data as suitable alternative to Landsat‐7 ETM+ satellite data sets in view of the aging conditions, the failure of the Scan Line Corrector (SLC) and resulting scan line anomaly within the Landsat‐7 ETM+ data sets.Design/methodology/approachThe DMC and Landsat‐7 ETM+ satellite data were compared by obtaining quantitative parameters such as; spatial, geometric, spectral, radiometric properties from coincident date images of the two satellite sensors, while inter‐relationship between DMC and Landsat‐7 ETM+ satellite data were established by deriving sensor inter‐calibration from linear regression equation.FindingsThe result shows that the performances of UK‐DMC match well with Landsat‐7 ETM+ and the accuracy of the UK‐DMC with respect to spatial, geometric properties. The frequency of DN distribution in each waveband for the two sensors and a pair‐wise relationship between the DN of selected targets was established using linear regression equation with coefficient of determination (R2) values that range from 0.92 to 0.95. These are adequate for data integration of the UK‐DMC and Landsat‐7 ETM+ sensors, and indicate that UK‐DMC can be used as a replacement for Landsat‐7 ETM+ and can provide a suitable platform for multi‐temporal and multi‐sensor approach that is required for the study of environmental dynamics.Research limitations/implicationsThe challenge in this study is that information on DMC sensor calibration and radiometric parameters such as time‐dependent change in the data derived from pre‐flight measurements, in‐flight calibration and ground‐based calibration data were not available at the time of this study. Therefore, absolute radiometric correction of converting the digital number (DN) recorded by the sensor to spectral radiance detected by the sensor using sensor‐specific calibration parameters was not possible. The suitable alternative is to use spectrally invariant targets for relative radiometric correction of DN to DN pair wise pixel technique and selecting similar targets on the images.Practical implicationsThis study shows that a suitable platform for multi‐temporal and multi‐sensor approach that is required for the study of environmental dynamics can be provided.Social implicationsThe issue of climate change was mentioned in this manuscript because satellite sensors that were used previously for climate change (multi‐disciplinary approach) does not have the temporal dynamics of daily coverage (temporal) and spatial resolution like the DMC satellites while there is usually a trade‐off between temporal and spatial resolution. The DMC satellites have got the exceptional capability of daily temporal and medium spatial resolution that can be suitable for monitoring climate change. That is why in this study investigation was carried out on the unique properties of the DMC satellites by making comparative assessments Landsat‐7 ETM+.Originality/valueThe originality/value of this paper lies on the fact that; for the first time the DMC satellite data are being compared with Landsat‐7 ETM+ because of similar characteristics in terms of wavebands (near infrared, red and green) and spatial resolution (Landsat‐7 ETM+: 30 m, DMC: 32 m).