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Measurement of speed and direction of ocean surface winds using quik scat scatterometer]
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Pollard, Brian Stiles, Bryan |
| Copyright Year | 2000 |
| Description | The SeaWinds on QuikSCAT scatterometer was developed by NASA JPL to measure the speed and direction of ocean surface winds. Simulations performed to estimate the performance of the instrument prior to its launch have indicated that the mid-swath accuracy is worse than that of the rest of the swath. This behavior is a general characteristic of scanning pencil beam scatterometers. For SeaWinds, the accuracy of the rest of the swath, and the size of the swath are such that the instrument meets its science requirements despite mid-swath shortcomings. However, by understanding the problem at mid-swath, we can improve the performance there as well. We discuss the underlying causes of the problem in detail and propose a new wind retrieval algorithm which improves mid-swath performance. The directional discrimination ability of the instrument varies with cross track distance wind speed, and direction. By estimating the range of likely wind directions for each measurement cell, one can optimally apply information from neighboring cells where necessary in order to reduce random wind direction errors without significantly degrading the resolution of the resultant wind field. In this manner we are able to achieve mid-swath RMS wind direction errors as low as 15 degrees for low winds and 10 degrees for moderate to high winds, while at the same time preserving high resolution structures such as cyclones and fronts. |
| File Size | 501870 |
| File Format | |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2000-01-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Meteorology And Climatology Scatterometers Root-mean-square Errors Wind Direction Algorithms Wind Velocity Computerized Simulation Ocean Surface Wind Meteorology Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
