QAA Algorithm Specification

Algorithm Specification of the Quasi-Analytical Processor

The Quasi-Analytical Algorithm (QAA) was developed to derive the absorption and backscattering coefficients by inverting the spectral remote-sensing reflectance (R_rs(λ)). The Quasi-Analytical Algorithm is in general a 10 step process. Following the significant equations for each step are depicted.
The algorithm itself is described in more detail in a journal paper and the changes made during a major update to the algorithm are described in a second paper.

• Description of the Quasi-Analytical Algorithm (QAA)
  http://github.com/downloads/bcdev/beam-meris-qaa/Lee_2002_QAA.pdf
• Description of the update (QAA_v5)
  http://github.com/downloads/bcdev/beam-meris-qaa/QAA_v5.pdf

Constants:

MERIS spectral wavelength

Band 1	Band 2	Band 3	Band 4	Band 5	Band 6	Band 7
412nm	443nm	490nm	510nm	560nm	620nm	670nm

IOPs

	412	443	490	510	560	620
aw	0.00469	0.00721	0.015	0.0325	0.0619	0.2755
bbw	0.003328	0.0023885	0.001549	0.0012992	0.0008994	0.0005996

Preparation

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9

Step 10