The development process of infrared atmospheric sounding technology from filter type, grating type to interference type, from multispectrum to hyper-spectrum is summarized, and the necessity of optimal channel selection is expounded. Domestic and foreign scholars have done a lot of work on channel selection of atmospheric vertical detection, including methods based on information entropy, Jacobi and error vector, which is summarized systematically in the paper. Furthermore, the principles, characteristics and application of each method are analyzed from the view of mathematical model and physical implication, and the differences, advantages and disadvantages of various methods are compared, which provides supports for the reasonable choice of channel selection methods as well as lays foundation for the further development of channel selection methods for infrared atmospheric vertical sounding. With the launch of FY-4A geostationary meteorological satellite and FY-3D polar orbit meteorological satellite in China, the result will provide support for the data application of infrared hyperspectral atmospheric vertical sounding, instrument design and development of FY satellites in China. At the same time, it also contributes to the application of FY meteorological satellite′s infrared hyperspectral atmospheric vertical sounding in China.