Fast Processing Tool for SMOS Data

A software package to fully process SMOS data from level 0 up to brightness temperature at antenna plane (level 1B) is described. The raw data downloaded from the payload are converted to correlations and voltages; then to calibrated visibility and antenna temperature; and finally to brightness temperature. Results at different levels are saved in separate files for further post-processing and a visualization tool is provided in order to check the data at various levels, as well as producing brightness temperature maps in the (xi, eta) domain. The software has been developed independently from the official SMOS-mission Level-1 processor but a detailed process of cross-checking of data at all levels is being carried out in order to consolidate the end product of both.