DocumentCode
1047473
Title
The effect of microwave backscatter uncertainty of satellite radar altimeter accuracy
Author
Miller, Lee S. ; Parsons, Chester L.
Author_Institution
Applied Sci. Associates, Inc., Apex, NC
Volume
10
Issue
4
fYear
1985
fDate
10/1/1985 12:00:00 AM
Firstpage
438
Lastpage
442
Abstract
The effect of variations in ocean surface roughness characteristics with upwind/downwind direction, reported by other investigators, is used to compute radar cross section ( 
) and to assess the errors which may arise in present and planned altimeter sensors. Based on an analysis of the rough surface impulse response, the uncertainty between attitude angle and asymmetry is found to cause height errors as large as 12 cm, depending on off-nadir angles and sea state. Additionally, the previously reported data in conjunction with computed facet backscatter are found to produce characteristics at large off-nadir angles which are in better agreement with experimental results than those predicted by physical optics Gaussian theory.
) and to assess the errors which may arise in present and planned altimeter sensors. Based on an analysis of the rough surface impulse response, the uncertainty between attitude angle and asymmetry is found to cause height errors as large as 12 cm, depending on off-nadir angles and sea state. Additionally, the previously reported data in conjunction with computed facet backscatter are found to produce characteristics at large off-nadir angles which are in better agreement with experimental results than those predicted by physical optics Gaussian theory.Keywords
Sea surface electromagnetic scattering; Backscatter; Oceans; Radar cross section; Rough surfaces; Satellites; Sea surface; Sensor phenomena and characterization; Spaceborne radar; Surface roughness; Uncertainty;
fLanguage
English
Journal_Title
Oceanic Engineering, IEEE Journal of
Publisher
ieee
ISSN
0364-9059
Type
jour
DOI
10.1109/JOE.1985.1145127
Filename
1145127
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