Detection and characterization of striping in GOES-16 ABI VNIR/IR bands.

A new generation of imaging instruments, the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), was launched on November 19, 2016 aboard the first satellite of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite - R Series (GOES-R). This premier satellite became GOES-16 shortly after launch, and replaced GOES-13 as NOAA's operational GOES-East satellite on December 18, 2017. ABI has 16 bands covering the spectrum between 0.47 mu m and 13.3 mu m to provide continuous data stream for weather forecasting and disaster monitoring. After launch, it is critical to monitor and evaluate the instrument calibration performance in a timely manner using data processed by the GOES-16 Ground Segment, starting at Post-Launch Tests (PLT) and continuing throughout mission life. For this purpose, the GOES-16 Calibration Working Group (CWG) has developed an Instrument Performance Monitor (IPM) system that includes metrics for GOES-16 ABI striping identification and characterization. In particular, it includes individual band striping identification, flagging, frequency, and image quality provided at minute to mission-life time scales, and sample and pixel level. Using this tool, severe striping in several ABI bands e.g., band01-03, band05, and band14-16 were characterized. The root cause of striping has been found to predominately arise from calibration algorithm deficiencies and artifacts. Identification and characterization of such striping thus motivates root-cause study and calibration improvement activities. Working as part of the CWG IPM system, the striping identification and characterization metrics help to make the user well informed of Ground Segment implemented calibration improvements and updates for GOES-16 ABI, but also provides clues for resolving anomalies.