Wave Parameters Estimated from Scatterometer Data

A new model is proposed to estimate significant wave heights from ERS-1/2 scatterometer data. We find that the relationship between wave parameters and the radar backscattering cross section is similar to that between the radar backscattering cross section and wind. The model for the relation between significant wave height and the radar cross section is obtained by a neural network algorithm. When the average wave period is less than 7s, the root mean square of significant wave height retrieved from ERS-1/2 data is 0.51 m. When the average wave period is more than 7 s, it is 0.72 m.