Sea-surface NRCS observations in high winds at low incidence angles

Joseph Sapp, Paul Chang, Zorana Jelenak, Stephen Frasier, Tom Hartley

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

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report on airborne measurements of the sea-surface normalized radar cross-section (NRCS) at incidence angles of approximately 22° obtained at both C-band and Ku-band in high-wind (> 25ms-1) conditions. Measurements obtained over numerous research flights through tropical cyclones and high-latitude winter storms between 2011 and 2014 are composited to yield geophysical model functions in rain-free conditions. The present observations extend the results of [1], who reported high-wind NRCS for incidence angles from 30° to 50°, to a smaller incidence angle. Saturation of the mean NRCS is observed at both frequencies. In some cases the NRCS is observed to decrease with increasing wind speed beyond the saturation. The results have implications for planned and future scatterometers aiming to increase the observed swath width by extending the range of incidence angles.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2015 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2015 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages1199-1202
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781479979295
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 10 2015
EventIEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2015 - Milan, Italy
Duration: Jul 26 2015Jul 31 2015

Publication series

NameInternational Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS)
Volume2015-November

Conference

ConferenceIEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, IGARSS 2015
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityMilan
Period07/26/1507/31/15

Keywords

  • airborne radar
  • C-band
  • radar cross-sections
  • Radar remote sensing
  • sea measurements

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