In-Orbit validation of SMOS full polarimetric equations

This paper analyzes the consistency of SMOS fully polarimetric measurement mode by comparing measured data over the ocean with the expected results. These last are based on an accurate ocean model provided by LOCEAN and simulated taking into account both the co- and cross-polar field antenna patterns. The successful image reconstruction by means of the so-called model full-pol G matrix (M-FPG) method validates SMOS main full-pol features: the full-pol switching scheme, the accuracy of the full-pol antenna pattern measurements and the full-polarimetric visibility equations.