ARTMO: An Automated Radiative Transfer Models Operator Toolbox for Automated Retrieval of Biophysical Parameters through Model Inversion

package provides a seamless link between inputs and outputs required for running a suite of reflectance models both at the leaf level and at the canopy level. ARTMO facilitates consistent and intuitive user interaction, thereby streamlining model setup, running, storing and output plotting for any kind of optical sensor operating in the VNIR range. The toolbox, developed in Matlab, allows the user: i) to choose between various leaf-level and canopy-level RT models, ii) to choose between spectral band settings of various air- and spaceborne sensors or defining own sensor settings, iii) to simulate and store a massive amount of spectra based on a look up table (LUT) approach in a spectral database, iv) to plot simulated spectra of multiple models and compare with measured spectra, and finally, v) given several cost options and accuracy estimates, to run model inversion against airborne or spaceborne images. Moreover, ARTMO is able simulate and run inversions per land cover classes. As such fragmented landscapes can be more realistic handled: homogenous land covers (e.g. agricultural land) can be simulated with a 1D model, while heterogeneous surfaces (e.g. forest) can be simulated with a 3D model. Examples of all relevant modules and an inversion application are provided. 1