Retrieval of the surface wind speed from satellite radio-altimeter data: A review of algorithms

We give a review of surface wind-speed retrieval algorithms using satellite radio-altimeter data and analyze the efficiency of these algorithms. The data processing by new radio altimeters (JASON and ENVISAT) showed that the two-parameter algorithm developed for the satellite "Topex A" eff...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Radiophysics and quantum electronics 2006-04, Vol.49 (4), p.251-263
Main Authors: Karaev, V.Yu, Kanevsky, M. B., Meshkov, E. M., Cotton, D., Gommenginger, C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Algorithms
Climate
Cross sections
Data processing
Formations
Radio altimeters
Radios
Regional
Retrieval
Satellites
Sea level
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Summary:We give a review of surface wind-speed retrieval algorithms using satellite radio-altimeter data and analyze the efficiency of these algorithms. The data processing by new radio altimeters (JASON and ENVISAT) showed that the two-parameter algorithm developed for the satellite "Topex A" effectively operates with the data of the new radio altimeters and exceeds in accuracy the conventional algorithm by 5-10%. We discuss two main reasons for the wind-speed retrieval errors: (i) ambiguous relationship between the wind speed and the backscattering cross section and (ii) regional features of the wave climate formation. Within the framework of a two-parameter algorithm, we propose a new approach for the wind-speed retrieval problem, in which two-mode structures (wind waves and a swell) are taken into account. The data processing confirmed that the new approach allows one to reduce the error related to regional features of the wave climate formation by another 5-7%.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0033-8443
1573-9120
DOI:10.1007/s11141-006-0058-5