Interpolating SMAP Soil Moisture to 3 km using CYGNSS and Spire Reflectivity Observations: Regional Case Study

Ming Li, Jiahua Zhang, Liza Wernicke, John J. Braun, Jan Peter Weiss

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study utilizes GNSS-reflectometry (GNSS-R) reflectivity data from Spire Global Inc. and CYGNSS constellations to interpolate SMAP brightness temperature to enhance its resolution from 9-km to 3-km. Previously Behavior Interpolation Method (POBI) is firstly employed to fill spatial gaps of CYGNSS and Spire data gridded at 3-km, which are then used to downscale the SMAP 9-km brightness temperature to achieve a fine resolution. Soil moisture is derived from the enhanced brightness temperature using the tau-omega model. The POBI-processed CYGNSS and Spire datasets are comparable with a mean difference of 0.27 dB across the Southern Continental United States and central America. Our results demonstrate that the 3-km soil moisture maps generated by combining SMAP and Spire/CYGNSS data offer an improved spatial resolution over the standalone SMAP 9 km product and significantly increased spatial coverage compared to CYGNSS measurements.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2025 United States National Committee of URSI National Radio Science Meeting, USNC-URSI NRSM 2025 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages328-329
Number of pages2
ISBN (Electronic)9781946815200
DOIs
StatePublished - 2025
Externally publishedYes
Event2025 United States National Committee of URSI National Radio Science Meeting, USNC-URSI NRSM 2025 - Boulder, United States
Duration: Jan 7 2025Jan 10 2025

Publication series

Name2025 United States National Committee of URSI National Radio Science Meeting, USNC-URSI NRSM 2025 - Proceedings

Conference

Conference2025 United States National Committee of URSI National Radio Science Meeting, USNC-URSI NRSM 2025
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoulder
Period01/7/2501/10/25

Keywords

  • 3km Soil Moisture
  • CYGNSS
  • SMAP
  • Spire

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