Design and experiment of UAV remote sensing optical targets

To build China's first test field for UAV sensor calibration, from 2008 to 2009, the authors designed a series of artificial targets: resolution bar target, Siemens star target, reflectance target, spectral characteristic target, geometric cross target, for geometric, spatial-resolution, radiometric and spectral calibration of optical sensors. The authors also developed two kinds of moveable targets. On November 14th 2011, an UAV comprehensive calibration experiment with these targets was carried out in Urad Front Banner, Inner Mongolia, China. The results show that, the designed targets are adequate, and their geometric and spectral performance is qualified, to satisfy various optical sensors' calibration. In this paper, the authors discuss the design basis and technical requirements of UAV remote sensing optical targets in details, propose a new concept of "moveable target", and provide a good example for aerospace and aerial remote sensing calibration field in the future.