EROS Cal/Val Center of Excellence Status as of May 4, 2017 Dennis Helder, Senior Calibration Advisor dhelder@usgs.gov (1) 605-594-2629

ECCOE Vision The EROS Calibration Center of Excellence (ECCOE) is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading organization for effectively improving the accuracy, precision, and efficiency of radiometric, geometric, and spatial characterization, calibration, and cross-calibration of optical remote sensing systems to achieve the highest degree of interoperability of remote sensing data products.

ECCOE Mission Develop advanced methods to perform radiometric/geometric/spatial characterization and calibration of optical remote sensing systems to improve the accuracy and precision of all derived data products. Develop new and improved methods for the cross-calibration of optical remote sensing systems to ensure continuous improvement of the interoperability of remote sensing data products. Provide the expertise and advocacy necessary for the acquisition of new measurements that continue to improve optical remote sensing data quality, coverage, and expanded usefulness for science applications. Develop mutually beneficial partnerships within USGS/DOI, across other government agencies, and throughout the industry.

ECCOE Goals Immediate Goals Intermediate Goals Initiate operations plan Develop web presence Develop Cal/Val workshop Intermediate Goals Expand research mindset Develop international relationships Outline strategic calibration/validation efforts Ensure sustainability

Generic ECCOE Structure CEOS WGCV IVOS CEOS WGCV IVOS International CalVal organization that interacts synergistically with ECCOE. USGS EROS CalVal Center Of Excellence Other Govt. Cal Groups U.S Government calibration groups that work closely with the ECCOE. USGS EROS Affiliates Organizations that are funded by ECCOE to conduct CalVal research. Affiliates Peer Review Panel Organizations and gov’t. entities that interact with ECCOE to conduct CalVal activities. Other Govt. Cal Groups Collaborators External panel of experts that meets at least annually to review ECCOE activities and recommend future directions for CalVal work. Peer Review Panel Collaborators

Current ECCOE Structure (May 2017) CEOS WGCV IVOS USGS EROS CalVal Center Of Excellence SDSU RIT Affiliates USGS EROS Peer Review Panel UAZ JPL NOAA NCC NASA GSFC LPSO Collaborators CNES PL DG ESA GISTDA (partial listing)

ECCOE Structure & Personnel – USGS EROS Director – Dennis Helder Subject Matter Experts Cody Anderson Mike Choate Jon Christopherson Obaidul Haque Minsu Kim Esad Micijevic Web/PR/Admin. Support Anya Hartpence Ron Morfitt Rajagopalan Rengarajan Aparajithan Sampath Pat Scaramuzza Greg Stensaas Jim Storey

ECCOE Structure & Personnel – Affiliates University of Arizona Nik Anderson Stu Biggar Jeff Czapla-Myers Rochester Institute of Technology Aaron Gerace Matt Montanero John Schott South Dakota State University Larry Leigh Morakot Kaewmanee Cibele Teixeira Pinto Jet Propulsion Laboratory Simon Hook

ECCOE Events JACIE is the key conference connected to ECCOE ECCOE Workshop Annual event Topical focus Develops recommended practices Publishes proceeding Conducts CalVal Future Directions session each year Invited panel and open to practitioners ECCOE supports other conferences Sessions at CALCON, IGARSS, Pecora, SPIE

ECCOE Workshop 2017 Topic: Cross-calibration of Landsat 8 OLI and Sentinel 2 MSI and its impact on data interoperability Venue: Pecora Conference, 2017, November, Sioux Falls, SD Monday and Tuesday morning before start of Pecora Format: Panel of Experts Landsat Calibration expertise Sentinel 2 Calibration expertise Applications expertise General audience Presentations, discussions, Q&A Outcome: Specific recommendations for Landsat 8 and Sentinel 2, as well as for general sensor cross-calibration

ECCOE Peer Review Panel Purpose: Provide advice on the future of CalVal for Land Remote Sensing for future direction and emphasis of ECCOE Meets at least annually 6-12 members Selected by ECCOE Director and Agency Leads

Thank you! Questions?

Backup Slides

Who are the beneficiaries? Optical Remote Sensing Data Users Optical Remote Sensing Instrument and Data Calibration/Validation specialists Optical Remote Sensing Data Characterization and Quality Assurance Specialists USGS/DOI Other Government Agencies (NASA/NOAA/NIST/USDA, etc.)

Why is EROS leading this? USGS EROS is closely connected to remote sensing data users. USGS EROS already has the expertise and is a recognized leader in the calibration of Landsat remote sensing imagery. As Landsat is looked upon as a reference sensor and data archive for much of the remote sensing industry, a need exists to formalize an entity responsible for elucidating quality standards of, and reference methodologies for, relating to Landsat sensors and data in a way that is extensible to the broader community. Given the second point, a need exists for an entity to play a major role in the development of standards and procedures for calibration/validation in support of the broader community as well as consistent with USGS needs. As the number of remote sensing instruments [small sats] and data sets continues to grow, it becomes increasingly important for a stable reference point to exist that is aware of the heritage of calibrated remote sensing products and also responsive to the new opportunities continually be developed.

How does ECCOE relate to CEOS/WGCV/IVOS? CEOS/WGCV/IVOS is focused on providing best practices for calibration of a wide array of remote sensing systems. It is dependent on the desire of its members to be successful in achieving its goals. ECCOE is a funded organization that is focused on providing best practices for calibration of Land Remote Sensing systems. Thus, ECCOE complements CEOS/WGCV/IVOS in function and should serve as an catalyst to achieving both entity’s goals.

ECCOE—what about validation? This really begs the questions of how calibration and validation are defined, does ECCOE calibrate sensors or data, and where does the mission of ECCOE stop? CEOS/WGCV provides the following definitions: Calibration is the process of quantitatively defining a system’s responses to known, controlled signal inputs. Validation, on the other hand, is the process of assessing, by independent means, the quality of the data products derived from those system outputs. ECCOE limits its activities to calibration and validation of sensors and data through the Level 2 products of surface reflectance and surface temperature.

Does ECCOE duplicate the NOAA National Calibration Center? The NOAA National Calibration Center (NCC) … mission is to establish SI (International Systems of Units) traceability and reduce uncertainties for satellite measurements to ensure high quality data for numerical weather prediction, reanalysis, climate change detection, and other environmental applications (http://ncc.nesdis.noaa.gov/about.php) The ECCOE focuses on the characterization and calibration of optical remote sensing systems that are used primarily for Land Remote Sensing Thus, ECCOE and the NCC have missions that are complementary and the two centers could potentially benefit from each other’s activities.

ECCOE Key Aspects/Attributes/Activities Consistent with and supportive of USGS EROS mission: “We do land change science using land remote sensing data…” Can’t be Landsat centric Leverage existing expertise Focus on Optical Land Remote Sensing Systems Collaborative and Distributed Research Publish! Data or Instruments? PR—experts, customers, public, congress Strong connection to science

ECCOE Research If a Center is going to be Excellent, it must do research All Center participants should have a research expectation Good news—much of the work already being done fits! Develop a paradigm shift Does not diminish operational activities, but extends them to achieve new and excellent levels of cal/val

ECCOE Publishes If a Center is Excellent, it must publish All Center participants should have a publication expectation Suggest 1 journal paper + 1 conference paper per FTE per year

ECCOE Affiliate Support (TBD) Grant Programs Sabbatical opportunity Internship opportunities