Meteosat third generation imager: simulation of the flexible combined imager instrument chain

Abstract

The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) Programme is the next generation of European geostationary meteorological systems. The first MTG satellite, MTG-I1, which is scheduled for launch at the end of 2018, will host two imaging instruments: the Flexible Combined Imager (FCI) and the Lightning Imager. The FCI will provide continuation of the SEVIRI imager operations on the current Meteosat Second Generation satellites (MSG), but with an improved spatial, temporal and spectral resolution, not dissimilar to GOES-R (of NASA/NOAA).Unlike SEVIRI on the spinning MSG spacecraft, the FCI will be mounted on a 3-axis stabilised platform and a 2-axis tapered scan will provide a full coverage of the Earth in 10 minute repeat cycles. Alternatively, a rapid scanning mode can cover smaller areas, but with a better temporal resolution of up to 2.5 minutes. In order to assess some of the data acquisition and processing aspects which will apply to the FCI, a simplified end-to-end imaging chain prototype was set up. The simulation prototype consists of four different functional blocks:-A function for the generation of FCI-like references images -An image acquisition simulation function for the FCI Line-of-Sight calculation and swath generation -A processing function that reverses the swath generation process by rectifying the swath data -An evaluation function for assessing the quality of the processed data with respect to the reference images This paper presents an overview of the FCI instrument chain prototype, covering instrument characteristics, reference image generation, image acquisition simulation, and processing aspects. In particular, it provides in detail the description of the generation of references images, highlighting innovative features, but also limitations. This is followed by a description of the image acquisition simulation process, and the rectification and evaluation function. The latter two are described in more detail in a separate paper.Finally, results from the prototype imaging chain are shown, including generated datasets, evaluation of results and conclusions derived from the first tests. An outline of planned extensions to the prototype and its role in the MTG Ground Segment development conclude the presentation.

LSA SAF Meteosat FRP products – Part 1: Algorithms, product contents, and analysis

“…Standard cloud masking procedures also need to be optimized, since they can otherwise mask smoke, or even active fires, as cloud. We recommend consideration of these issues when designing the pre-processing and cloud masking chains to be used with Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), whose sensor has a dedicated low-gain MWIR channel to support active fire applications (Just et al, 2014). Comparisons to the WF-ABBA SEVIRI product indicates strong performance of the FTA algorithm, which detects substantially more active fire pixels, both in any particular SEVIRI time slot and over the full diurnal cycle.…”

Meteosat SEVIRI Fire Radiative Power (FRP) products from the Land Surface Analysis Satellite Applications Facility (LSA SAF) – Part 1: Algorithms, product contents and analysis

“…Standard cloud masking procedures also need to be optimised, since they can otherwise mask smoke, or even active fires, as cloud. We recommend consideration of these issues when designing the pre-processing and cloud masking chains to be used with Meteosat Third Generation (MTG), whose sensor has a dedicated low gain MWIR channel to support active fire applications (Just et al, 2014). Comparisons to the WF-ABBA SEVIRI product indicates strong performance of the FTA algorithm, which detects substantially more active fire pixels, both in any particular SEVIRI timeslot and over the full diurnal cycle.…”

Satellite‐Based Detection of Daytime Supercooled Liquid‐Topped Mixed‐Phase Clouds Over the Southern Ocean Using the Advanced Himawari Imager

“…The SIR bands are also available to the next generation of GEO satellite sensors, including the Himawari‐8 Advanced Himawari Imager (AHI; Bessho et al, ), the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES)‐16 and GOES‐17 Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI; Schmit et al, ), and the China Meteorological Administration Feng Yun‐4 series (FY‐4; the first satellite FY‐4 A launched on 11 December 2016; J. Yang et al, ) Advanced Geosynchronous Radiation Imager (AGRI). Similar bands will become available on the GEOstationary Korea Multi‐Purpose SATellite‐2A (GEO‐KOMPSAT‐2A) Advanced Meteorological Imager (AMI) recently launched on 4 December 2018 and European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) Meteosat Third Generation (MTG; scheduled launch in 2021) with a Flexible Combined Imager (FCI; Just et al, ). Based on a global constellation of advanced GEO satellites, more accurate and persistent measurements can be provided, including process studies of cloud phase evolution critical to improving cloud parameterizations.…”

“…Yang et al, 2017) Advanced Geosynchronous Radiation Imager (AGRI). Similar bands will become available on the GEOstationary Korea Multi-Purpose SATellite-2A (GEO-KOMPSAT-2A) Advanced Meteorological Imager (AMI) recently launched on 4 December 2018 and European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) Meteosat Third Generation (MTG; scheduled launch in 2021) with a Flexible Combined Imager (FCI; Just et al, 2014). Based on a global constellation of advanced GEO satellites, more accurate and persistent measurements can be provided, including process studies of cloud phase evolution critical to improving cloud parameterizations.…”