Effect of long waves on Ku-band ocean radar backscatter at low incidence angles using TRMM and altimeter data

doi:10.1109/LGRS.2007.896329

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Effect of long waves on Ku-band ocean radar backscatter at low incidence angles using TRMM and altimeter data

Publication Type

Publication

Publication date

2007-10

Language

English

Full Text

http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2007/publication-3299.pdf (0.24 Mo)

2007/IEEE

Author(s)

Tran Ngan¹, Chapron Bertrand², Vandemark D³

Affiliation(s):

1 : Collecte Localisat Satellites, Space Oceanog Div, F-31520 St Agne, France.
2 : IFREMER, Ctr Brest, F-29280 Plouzane, France.
3 : Univ New Hampshire, Ocean Proc Analy Lab, Durham, NH 03824 USA.

Source:

IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters (1545-598X) (IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society), 2007-10 , Vol. 4 , N. 4 , P. 542-546

DOI:

10.1109/LGRS.2007.896329

Subject(s)

Engineering Sciences, Physical Oceanography

Keyword(s)

Space borne radar, Scattering, Radar cross section, Altimetry

Abstract

This letter uses a large ocean satellite data set to document relationships between Ku-band radar backscatter (sigma-0) of the sea surface, near-surface wind speed (U), and ocean wave height (SWH). The observations come from satellite crossovers of the Tropical Rainfall Mapping Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) and two satellite altimeters, namely: 1) Jason-1 and 2) ENVISAT. At these nodes, we obtain TRMM clear-air normalized radar cross-section data along with coincident altimeter-derived significant wave height. Wind speed estimates come from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast. TRMM PR is the first satellite to measure low incidence Ku-band ocean backscatter at a continuum of incidence angles from 0 degrees to 18 degrees. This letter utilizes these global ocean data to assess hypotheses developed in past theoretical and field studies.

How to cite this document:

Tran Ngan, Chapron Bertrand, Vandemark D (2007). Effect of long waves on Ku-band ocean radar backscatter at low incidence angles using TRMM and altimeter data. IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters, 4(4), 542-546. Publisher's official version : http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/LGRS.2007.896329 , Open Access version : http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3299/