Synthetic aperture radar imaging of ocean waves during the marineland experiment

X- andL-band simultaneously obtained synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data of ocean gravity waves collected during the Marineland Experiment were analyzed using wave contrast measurements. The Marineland data collected in 1975 represents a unique historical data set for testing still-evolving theoretical models of the SAR ocean wave imaging process. The wave contrast measurements referred to are direct measurements of the backscatter variation between wave crests and troughs. These modulation depth measurements, which are indicators of wave detectability, were made as a function of: a) the settings used in processing the SAR signal histories to partially account for wave motion; b) wave propagation direction with respect to radar look direction for bothX- andL-band SAR data; c) SAR resolution; and d) number of coherent looks. The contrast measurements indicated that ocean waves imaged by a SAR are most discernible whenX-band frequency is used (as compared toL-band), and when the ocean waves are traveling in the range direction. Ocean waves can be detected by bothX- andL-band SAR, provided that the radar surface resolution is small compared to the ocean wavelength (at least 1/4 of the ocean wavelength is indicated by this work). Finally, wave detection withL-band SAR can be improved by adjusting the focal distance and rotation of the cylindrical telescope in the SAR optical processor to account for wave motion. The latter adjustments are found to be proportional to a value that is near the wave phase velocity.     

Tower-based backscatter measurements of the sea

In September 1979, the radar scattering coefficient (sigmadeg) was measured at platform Noordwijk in the North Sea 10 km off the Dutch coast. This was done in conjunction with similar measurements by Dutch and French investigators as part of Project MARSEN (Marine Remote Sensing). Our measurements were made with vertical and horizontal polarizations, in the frequency baud 9-17 GHz, at incidence angles0deg - 70deg, with wind speeds from 2-22 m/s, and look directions upwind, downwind, and crosswind. This paper presents the scattering-coefficient variation with these radar and ocean parameters. In particular, the exponents for the windspeed response are compared with those from other investigators. Some of the exponents reported here are higher than reported previously, possibly because orthogonal regression was used rather than regression ofsigmadegversus windspeed.     

Active microwave measurement from space of sea-surface winds

Radar backscatter measurements from the ocean were made at 13.9 GHz from Skylab. The radar signal increased rapidly with wind speed over the entire range of winds encountered, and for angles of incidence of30degand larger. Signals observed were normalized to a nominal incidence angle (from values withinpm2degof the nominal) and to a nominal upwind observation direction, using a theoretical model that has been verified as approximately true with aircraft experiments. The wind speed was regressed against the resulting scattering coefficientssigma^{0}and the values ofbetain windpropto sigma^{0beta}were obtained for incident angles of1deg , 17deg , 32deg , 43deg,and50deg, and for vertical, horizontal, and cross polarizations. For the three larger angles,betavaries from 0.3 to 0.6. Observations during the summer and winter Skylab missions were treated separately because of possible differences caused by an accident to the antenna between the two sets of observations. The results are in general agreement with the theory [26] in all cases, with the winter and cross-polarized agreement somewhat better than that for summer like-polarized data. The "objective analysis" method used for determining "surface-truth" winds in the Skylab experiment was tested by comparing results obtained at weather ships (using all other ship reports to produce the analysis) with the observations made by the weather ships themselves. In most cases, the variance about the regression line between objective analysis and weather-ship data actually exceeded that about the regression line between objective analysis and backscattcr data!     

Estimates of ocean wavelength and direction from X-and L-band synthetic aperture radar data collected during the Marineland experiment

Simultaneously obtainedX- andL-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data collected during the Marineland Experiment were spectrally analyzed by fast Fourier transform (FFT) techniques to estimate ocean wavelength and direction. An eight-sided flight pattern was flown over the same ocean area in order to study the sensitivity of the spectral estimate on radar look direction. These spectral estimates were compared with in situ wave measurements made by a pitch-and-roll buoy. The comparison revealed that theX-band SAR detected all gravity waves independent of radar look direction, while theL-band SAR detected all range-traveling gravity waves but failed to detect waves in three of four cases in which the waves were traveling within 25° of the azimuth direction. The analysis also indicates that azimuth-traveling waves appear longer and more range-traveling in the SAR imagery than observed by in situ instrumentation. It is postulated that degraded azimuth resolution due to scatterer motion is responsible for these observations.     

An improved model for the dielectric constant of sea water at microwave frequencies

The advent of precision microwave radiometry has placed a stringent requirement on the accuracy with which the dielectric constant of sea water must be known. To this end, measurements of the dielectric constant have been conducted atS-band andL-band with a quoted uncertainty of tenths of a percent. These and earlier results are critically examined, and expressions are developed which will yield computations of brightness temperature having an error of no more than 0.3 K for an undisturbed sea at frequencies lower thanX-band. At the higher microwave and millimeter wave frequencies, the accuracy is in question because of uncertainties in the relaxation time and the dielectric constant at infinite frequency.     

Radar backscatter measurements from Platform Noordwijk in the North Sea

Results from radar backscatter experiments conducted over the North Sea in Project Noordwijk in the years 1977, 1978, and 1979 are reported. For these measurements a short-rangeX-band FM/CW scatterometer was used. Data obtained were the average normalized backscattergamma(sigmadeg)of the sea as a function of grazing angle, windspeed, and look direction. The fading spectra and the autocorrelation function ofgamma(t)were also determined and compared with the output of the oceanographic sensors of the platform.     

A thermometer for oceanographic research with a time constant of about 1 ms and a resolution of less than 0.001 K: Its properties and results of its application on cruises

The author has developed a new thermometer with a time constant of about 0.5 ms as a part of his two-phase alternating current bridge. The thermometer permits the application of a Pt-wire with a low resistance of about 10-50 mOmega. A resolution of less than 0.001 K in the range of40degC can be reached. Properties, experiments, and results from measurements with this fast thermometer are described.     

Four years of low-altitude sea ice broad-band backscatter measurements

The ability to use radar to discriminate Arctic Sea ice types has been investigated using surface-based and helicopter-borne scatterometer systems. The surface-based FM/CW radar operated at 1.5 GHz and at multiple frequencies in the 8-18-GHz region. Measurements were made at angles of10degto70degfrom nadir. The helicopter-based radar operated at the 8-18-GHz frequencies with incidence angles of0degto60deg. Extensive surface-truth measurements were made at or near the time of backscattar measurement to describe the physical and electrical properties of the polar scene. Measurements in the 8-18-GHz region verify the ability to discriminate multiyear, thick first-year, thin first-year, and pressure-ridged sea ice and lake ice. The lowest frequency, 9 GHz, was found to provide the greatest contrast between these ice categories, with significant levels of separation existing between angles from15degto70deg. The radar cross sections for like antenna polarizations, VV and HH, were very similar in absolute level and angular response. Cross-polarization, VH and HV, provided the greatest contrast between ice types, The 1.5-GHz measurements showed that thick first-year, thin first-year, and multiyear sea ice cannot be distinguished at10degto60degincidence angles with like polarization, VV, by backscatter alone; but that undeformed sea ice can be discriminated from pressure-ridged ice and lake ice. The effect of snow cover on the backscatter from thick first-year ice was also investigated. It contributes on the order of 0 to 4 dB, depending on frequency and incidence angle; the contribution of the snow layer increased with increasing frequency. Snow cover on smooth lake ice was found to be a major backscatter mechanism. Summer measurements demonstrate the inability to extend the knowledge of the backscatter from sea ice under spring conditions to all seasons.     

Studies of backscattered sea return with a CW, dual-frequency,X-band radar

A coherent, CW, dual-frequency,X-band radar was used to study microwave sea return from the Chesapeake Bay. It is shown that the product of the backseattered fields depends strongly on long surface wave properties. In particular, a sharp line is found in the product power spectrum whose frequency is that of the water wave whose wavelength is in resonance with the spatial period of the beat frequency between the two transmitted signals and whose wave vector is parallel to the horizontal line of sight. Thus, gravity wave dispersion relations can be obtained with the system. Furthermore, the degree of modulation of short waves by long ones is given by the intensity of the line. A broad background corresponding to the convolution of the single-frequency Doppler spectra is also seen in the product power spectrum. These results are shown to be interpretable by composite surface scattering theory.     

Radio interferential measurements of sea level oscillations with large tidal amplitude

A tide height measurement technique usingS-band radio waves in an oblique incidence interferometer is reviewed. Generalization of the technique is described which reduces the required bandwidth of the radio frequency adjustment and increases its efficiency. This generalization, however, introduces an ambiguity in the height determination and also requires specification of the phase shift of the radio waves specularly reflected from the sea surface. The ambiguity is shown to be easily removable given coarse information about the expected time derivative of tidal height. The influence of the phase shift which contains sea-wave information is studied analytically and requirement in its specification is evaluated to have an accuracy ofpm1deg. This corresponds to a tide height determination accuracy ofpm1cm. The method is designed for coastal regions where a bistatic experiment geometry is feasible.     

HF radar observations of Arctic pack-ice breakup

This paper describes the first reported high-resolution remote measurements of sea-ice velocities during the summer Arctic pack-ice breakup, made with a high-frequency (HF) radar system (CODAR, for Coastal Ocean Dynamics Applications Radar) located on Cross Island, Alaska. Each 36-min observation also gives the positions of the ice edge, the moving ice, and the open water, with an azimuthal and distance resolution of5degand 1.2 km, respectively, to a range of 15 km. The statistical uncertainties in speed are typically 2-4 cm/s. The ice breakup was observed over a two-day period starting with low ice velocity and no open water and ending with ice and current velocities of approximately 40 cm/s. The position of the ice edge is verified by a simultaneous synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image. To compare the ice, current, and wind velocities, a uniform velocity model was fitted to the measurements of radial velocity. The speed of both ice and current under free drift conditions was found to lie between 2 and 5 percent of the wind speed and the direction within20degof the wind direction.     

Radiometric observations of sea temperature at 2.65 GHZ over the chesapeake bay

The present work describes the various corrections necessary in order to deduce ocean surface temperature fromS-band microwave radiometer measurements and applies these results to a series of data obtained with a high absolute accuracy radiometer. Measurements made with a 2.65 GHz radiometer from an aircraft flown over the Chesapeake Bay area are presented and compared in detail with accurately obtained sea truth data. For the calm sea, it was found that the observed brightness temperature agreed well with that calculated from the known sea surface and atmospheric properties over a fairly wide range of surface salinity values (0.2 per mille to 25 per mille). For cases where the surface wind speeds are of the order of 7 to 15 knots, an excess brightness temperature was observed which is attributable to surface roughness and microscale surface disturbances. The excess brightness temperature dependence on wind speed was found to correlate to a certain extent with the rms wave slope dependence on wind speed.     

Aircraft measurement of sea surface temperature during the West Coast Experiment

During the West Coast Experiment in March 1977, a test was conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of using remote sensing techniques to estimate sea surface temperature (SST) from infrared (IR) emissions of the sea surface. Aircraft flights were made over three buoys moored in southern California coastal waters, and data was collected of sea surface emissions at thermal IR wavelengths (7.95-13.5 mum). SST obtained from the remote sensing measurements were compared with in situ SST measured with thermistors mounted on the buoys. The remotely determined SST were from1.4-2.9degC lower than the in situ measurements. Several factors are discussed that could account for the differences.     

Note on wave parameters from moored wave buoys

For decades, the accelerometer wave buoy has been a preferred choice for offshore wave measurements. Although these measurements are accurate and robust, there are some issues of practical character that need to be inspected before using such measurements for detailed time-series investigations. Here three potential sources of inaccuracies are outlined which can appear due to improper mooring, limited high-frequency resolution or overly simple procedures for attaching measurement times (time stamps) to the measurements. The last two of these apply to all types of single-point wave-measuring devices.

An example of a wave-height series is given, in which part of the observed variation seems to be induced by the mooring. It is argued that unexpected semi-tidal modulations in measured wave-height can be an indication of a mooring that is too rigid. By truncating observed wave spectra from a deep-water location, it is demonstrated how the high-frequency cut-off limit of a wave measurement influences the most commonly used wave parameters. It is observed that the accuracy of common wave parameters remains acceptable up to a cut-off limit in the range of 0.30–0.35 Hz if the spectra above the cut-off frequency are replaced by a prognostic f⁻⁵ tail. Finally it is noted that the procedure of connecting time stamps to wave measurements can in some cases introduce an artificial time-lag compared to the real-time sea state.     

Directional sea spectrum determination using HF Doppler radar techniques

Second-order features in HF radar Doppler spectral data are compared with a theoretical model of the radar spectrum. The model is the corner reflector double-scatter model which employs a more realistic directional sea spectrum model than those used in earlier works. It includes a frequency-dependent angular spreading function and assumes the existence of spectral energy over a full360degarising from an apparent second-order wave-wave interaction. Comparison is made with ground wave data collected at the NRL/NOAA/ITS San Clemente Island HF radar.     

Improved form of wind wave frequency spectrum

The lower frequency part of the theoretical wind wave spectrum proposed by the authors (Wen et al. , 1988a, b,c) has been improved and the form of spectrum is appreciably simplified. In addition to the field data collected in the Bohai Sea region and used in the previous papers, those obtained in the Huanghai Sea, the East China Sea and the South China Sea have been employed so that the improved spectra can be verified on a more extensive observational basis. Computed results agree with the observations well. Further comparisons have been made between the proposed spectra and the JONSWAP spectrum. Though the two types of spectrum are close to each other in form, the former shows, as a whole, better agreement with the observation than the latter. By introducing an improved relation between the peak-ness factor and significant wave steepness, the spectrum contains only significant wave height and period as parameters. For spectra given in this form, the computed peak frequencies coincide approximately wit     

Wave direction measured by four different systems

During a March 1977 experiment, four systems were used to provide wave-direction information offshore of Mission Beach, CA: a synthetic aperature radar (SAR) carried aboard a NASA CV990 aircraft, a coastal imaging radar, a pressure-gauge array offshore, and aerial photography aboard two aircraft. The coastal radar, aerial photographs, and SAR provided wave images. From the coastal radar images and the aerial photographs, the direction and length of the principal wavetrains were measured by a manual analysis. The SAR images were also processed using an FFT to give two-dimensional wave spectra. The array at the Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC) tower was used to provide directional wave spectra. Scatter diagrams are presented, which intercompare the measurements from these four systems. In addition, radar image spectral information is compared with the array spectra. The intercomparison of the data from these four systems shows good agreement among the imaging systems. Between the imaging systems and the pressure array there is agreement for the most prominent wavetrains and disagreement for several cases where multiple wavetrains from different directions but with similar periods are present.     

Simulation of the extreme waves generated by typhoon Bolaven (1215) in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea

Record-breaking high waves occurred during the passage of the typhoon Bolaven (1215) (TYB) in the East China Sea (ECS) and Yellow Sea (YS) although its intensity did not reach the level of a super typhoon. Winds and directional wave measurements were made using a range of in-situ instruments mounted on an ocean tower and buoys. In order to understand how such high waves with long duration occurred, analyses have been made through measurement and numerical simulations. TYB winds were generated using the TC96 typhoon wind model with the best track data calibrated with the measurements. And then the wind fields were blended with the reanalyzed synoptic-scale wind fields for a wave model. Wave fields were simulated using WAM4.5 with adjustment of C_d for gust of winds and bottom friction for the study area. Thus the accuracy of simulations is considerably enhanced, and the computed results are also in better agreement with measured data than before. It is found that the extremely high waves evolved as a result of the superposition of distant large swells and high wind seas generated by strong winds from the front/right quadrant of the typhoon track. As the typhoon moved at a speed a little slower than the dominant wave group velocity in a consistent direction for two days, the wave growth was significantly enhanced by strong wind input in an extended fetch and non-linear interaction.     

One-dimensional numerical models of higher-order Boussinesq equations with high dispersion accuracy

Abstract-Nonlinear water wave propagation passing a submerged shelf is studied experimentally andnumerically. The applicability of the wave propagation model of higher-order Boussinesq equations de-rived by Zou(2000, Ocean Engneering, 27, 557～575) is investigated. Physical experiments areconducted; three different front slopes (1:10, 1:5 and 1:2) of the shelf are set-up in the experimentand their effects on the wave propagation are investigated. Comparisons of the numerical results withtest data are made and the higher-order Boussinesq equations agree well with the measurements since thedispersion of the model is of high accuracy. The numerical results show that the good results can also beobtained for the steep-slope cases although the mild-slope assumption is employed in the derivation of thehigher-order terms in the higher-order Boussinesq equations.     

On the synthetic aperture radar imaging of ocean surface waves

A process of synthetic aperture radar imaging of ocean surface waves is considered on the basis of the two-scale model of microwave scattering by a disturbed sea surface. Analytical expressions are obtained to relate characteristics of a large-scale wave image, averaged over an ensemble of realizations of the small-scale ripple, with the wave, radar, and viewing scheme as parameters. It is shown that the wave image would be defocused as an image of a target moving in the along-track direction with a speed equal to a half of the wave phase speed projection on the line of flight. The defocusing magnitude was measured experimentally for the ocean swells images, obtained with an airborneS-band radar, and the results are found to be in satisfactory agreement with the model prediction.