Independent pixel approximation
From Glossary of Meteorology
independent pixel approximation
In radiation modeling, the assumption that the radiative properties of a given horizontal region (or pixel in a satellite image) may be considered in isolation from neighboring pixels.
Its purpose is to allow the application of one-dimensional radiative transfer theory. The accuracy of this approximation depends on the size of the pixel and the degree of heterogeneity within the pixel and between neighboring pixels.
