Category: Processing and quality
Analysis Ready Data (ARD)
Analysis ready data (ARD) is imagery processed so it can be used directly for analysis with consistent geometry, metadata, and quality information.
Also known as: ARD, analysis-ready imagery
Expanded definition
ARD generally means the data is geometrically aligned, radiometrically calibrated, and packaged with clear metadata and quality masks so users can compare scenes reliably.
‘Analysis-ready’ is not a single universal level. The right level depends on the task. Time-series monitoring often needs consistent surface reflectance and stable masks, while some workflows prefer TOA plus custom correction.
If a product claims to be analysis-ready, it should clearly state what corrections were applied and what quality layers are included.
Related terms
Surface Reflectance (BOA)
Surface reflectance estimates what reflectance would be at the ground after removing atmospheric effects.
Radiometry
Radiometry is the measurement and calibration of electromagnetic energy recorded by a sensor.
Quality Mask (QA)
A quality mask is a layer that flags pixels with issues such as clouds, shadows, saturation, or low confidence.
Georeferencing
Georeferencing links pixels or coordinates in a dataset to real-world locations on Earth.