In the optical remote sensing field, the radiance factor of the atmosphere-underlying surface system can be measured. As a matter of fact, light is reflected by the surface itself and the scattering processes in the entire substance bulk. Surface reflection is described by considering the surface as a set of randomly oriented facets (i.e., rough surface), each of them reflects according to the Fresnel equations. Scattering in the substance bulk is subject to the radiation transfer theory, recently formulated in its discrete form. However, mathematically rigorous methods of solving the radiative transfer equation (RTE) are often inefficient in practical applications, mostly due to their high computational burden. Keeping this in mind, several approximate (engineering) methods have been developed which could be used in practice. However, the accuracy and the domain of applicability of these techniques have not been strictly defined. This paper analyzes the accuracy of the basic engineering methods for solving RTE based on a consistent discrete radiative transfer theory. The recommendations regarding using these methods in specific applicability areas are discussed.
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