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At least 325 records · Page 18

Evaluation and Analysis of Seasat a Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) Antenna Pattern Correction (APC) Algorithm

The accuracy of the SEASAT-A SMMR antenna pattern correction (APC) algorithm was assessed. Interim APC brightness temperature measurements for the SMMR 6.6 GHz channels are compared with surface truth derived sea surface temperatures. Plots and associated statistics are presented for SEASAT-A SMMR data acquired for the Gulf of Alaska experiment. The cross-track gradients observed in the 6.6 GHz brightness temperature data are discussed.

Kitzis, S. N.↗

Evaluation and analysis of Seasat-A Scanning multichannel Microwave radiometer (SMMR) Antenna Pattern Correction (APC) algorithm. Sub-task 2: T sub B measured vs. T sub B calculated comparison results

Interim Antenna Pattern Correction (APC) brightness temperature measurements for all ten SMMR channels are compared with calculated values generated from surface truth data. Plots and associated statistics are presented for the available points of coincidence between SMMR and surface truth measurements acquired for the Gulf of Alaska SEASAT Experiment. The most important conclusions of the study deal with the apparent existence of different instrument biases for each SMMR channel, and their variation across the scan.

Kitzis, J. L.↗

Evaluation and analysis of Seasat-A scanning multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) Antenna Pattern Correction (APC) algorithm

The brightness temperature data produced by the SMMR final Antenna Pattern Correction (APC) algorithm is discussed. The algorithm consisted of: (1) a direct comparison of the outputs of the final and interim APC algorithms; and (2) an analysis of a possible relationship between observed cross track gradients in the interim brightness temperatures and the asymmetry in the antenna temperature data. Results indicate a bias between the brightness temperature produced by the final and interim APC algorithm.

Kitzis, J. L.↗

An algorithm for retrieval of ocean surface and atmospheric parameters from the observations of the scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR)

A formalism was developed which can be used to interpret the data in terms of sea surface temperature, sea surface wind speed, and the atmospheric overburden of water vapor and liquid water. It was shown with reasonable instrumental performance assumptions, these parameters could be derived to useful accuracies. Although the algorithms were not derived for use in rain, it is shown that, at least, token rain rates can be tolerated without invalidating the retrieved geophysical parameters.

Wilheit, T. T.↗

Evaluation and Analysis of SEASAT-A Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SSMR) Antenna Pattern Correction (APC) Algorithm. Sub-task 4: Interim Mode T Sub B Versus Cross and Nominal Mode T Sub B

The brightness temperature data produced by the SMMR Antenna Pattern Correction algorithm are evaluated. The evaluation consists of: (1) a direct comparison of the outputs of the interim, cross, and nominal APC modes; (2) a refinement of the previously determined cos beta estimates; and (3) a comparison of the world brightness temperature (T sub B) map with actual SMMR measurements.

Kitzis, J. L.↗

Evaluation and analysis of SEASAT-A Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) Antenna Pattern Correction (APC) algorithm

An evaluation of the versions of the SEASAT-A SMMR antenna pattern correction (APC) algorithm is presented. Two efforts are focused upon in the APC evaluation: the intercomparison of the interim, box, cross, and nominal APC modes; and the development of software to facilitate the creation of matched spacecraft and surface truth data sets which are located together in time and space. The problems discovered in earlier versions of the APC, now corrected, are discussed.

Kitzis, J. L.↗

Alternative Beam Efficiency Calculations for a Large-aperture Multiple-frequency Microwave Radiometer (LAMMR)

The fundamental definition of beam efficiency, given in terms of a far field radiation pattern, was used to develop alternative definitions which improve accuracy, reduce the amount of calculation required, and isolate the separate factors composing beam efficiency. Well-known definitions of aperture efficiency were introduced successively to simplify the denominator of the fundamental definition. The superposition of complex vector spillover and backscattered fields was examined, and beam efficiency analysis in terms of power patterns was carried out. An extension from single to dual reflector geometries was included. It is noted that the alternative definitions are advantageous in the mathematical simulation of a radiometer system, and are not intended for the measurements discipline where fields have merged and therefore lost their identity.

Schmidt, R. F.↗

LAMMR: A new generation satellite microwave radiometer - Its concepts and capabilities

Definition studies and baseline design are summarized for the proposed, and now discontinued, LAMMR. The instrument is an offset parabolic reflector with Cassegrain feeds. The three-meter aperture reflector, to be constructed using graphite-epoxy technology, rotates continuously at 0.833 rps. The scan drive subsystem includes momentum compensation for the rotating mass which includes the reflector, the support arm and Cassegrain subreflector, feed horns and radiometer. Two total power radiometers are recommended for each frequency, one each for horizontal and vertical polarizations. The selection plan, definition study specifications, LAMMR performance specifications, and predicted accuracies and resolutions after processing are shown.

Walton, W. T.↗

Design and development of a multibeam 1.4 GHz pushbroom microwave radiometer

The design and operation of a multiple beam, digital signal processing radiometer are discussed. The discussion includes a brief description of each major subsystem and an overall explanation of the hardware requirements and operation. A series of flight tests was conducted in which sea-truth sites, as well as an existing radiometer were used to verify the Pushbroom Radiometer performance. The results of these tests indicate that the Pushbroom Radiometer did meet the sensitivity design goal of 1.0 kelvin, and exceeded the accuracy requirement of 2.0 kelvin. Additional performance characteristics and test results are also presented.

Lawrence, R. W.↗

A microwave radiometer weather-correcting sea ice algorithm

A new algorithm for estimating the proportions of the multiyear and first-year sea ice types under variable atmospheric and sea surface conditions is presented, which uses all six channels of the SMMR. The algorithm is specifically tuned to derive sea ice parameters while accepting error in the auxiliary parameters of surface temperature, ocean surface wind speed, atmospheric water vapor, and cloud liquid water content. Not only does the algorithm naturally correct for changes in these weather conditions, but it retrieves sea ice parameters to the extent that gross errors in atmospheric conditions propagate only small errors into the sea ice retrievals. A preliminary evaluation indicates that the weather-correcting algorithm provides a better data product than the 'UMass-AES' algorithm, whose quality has been cross checked with independent surface observations. The algorithm performs best when the sea ice concentration is less than 20 percent.

Walters, J. M.↗

Shuttle Imaging Radar B (SIR-B) Weddell Sea ice observations - A comparison of SIR-B and scanning multichannel microwave radiometer ice concentrations

Ice concentrations over the Weddell Sea were studied using SIR-B data obtained during the October 1984 mission, with special attention given to the effect of ocean waves on the radar return at the ice edge. Sea ice concentrations were derived from the SIR-B data using two image processing methods: the classification scheme at JPL and the manual classification method at Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), England. The SIR ice concentrations were compared with coincident concentrations from the Nimbus-7 SMMR. For concentrations greater than 40 percent, which was the smallest concentration observed jointly by SIR-B and the SMMR, the mean difference between the two data sets for 12 points was 2 percent. A comparison between the JPL and the SPRI SIR-B algorithms showed that the algorithms agree to within 1 percent in the interior ice pack, but the JPL algorithm gives slightly greater concentrations at the ice edge (due to the fact that the algorithm is affected by the wind waves in these areas).

Martin, Seelye↗

Non-linearity in measurement systems: Evaluation method and application to microwave radiometers

A simple method for determination and correction of nonlinaearity in measurement systems is presented. The technique is applicable to a wide range of measuring systems. The basic concept, an analysis, and a sample application are given. Nonlinearity of the Goldstone DSS 13 low noise HEMT 2.3 GHz (S-band) radiometer system results in noise temperature measurement errors. These errors are successfully correct with this method.

Stelzried, C. T.↗