Land surface temperature reflects the energy change and exchange process of land surface, which is an important index of the study on Earth science. The differences of surface geometrical structure and morphology are the main reasons for directional thermal radiant anisotropy. Therefore, there is thermal radiant directionality on most land surfaces in some degrees. The research methods and research status of the generalized thermal radiation directivity computer model were introduced. The common models were evaluated from the characteristics of the model, simulation objects, simulation accuracy and time complexity. The coupled climate model, the surface radiation directivity model and the application of radiation directionality were reviewed. The unsolved problems and the future research direction in this field were pointed.