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.     

Effect of skewness and kurtosis of sea-surface elevations on the accuracy of altimetry surface level measurements

We assess the influence of changes in the skewness and kurtosis of the distribution of elevations on a rough sea surface that were observed in field conditions on the accuracy of the recovery of the sea-surface level along the satellite trace. For different values of a significant height of surface waves, we obtain numerical estimates for the bias in relief recovery due to the simultaneous variation in skewness and kurtosis. It is shown that, with a decrease in kurtosis, the effect of skewness changes on the accuracy of altimetry measurements of the level increases. We note the limitations of the Gram-Charlier model in simulating the radar waveforms return from the sea surface.     

HY-2卫星雷达高度计时标偏差估算

卫星雷达高度计是海洋遥感监测的重要传感器之一,测高系统和定轨系统是高度计重要的组成部分。若两系统使用不同的系统时钟,则获得的轨道高度和卫星测距值之间可能会存在一个时标偏差,该时标偏差会降低卫星雷达高度计的海面高度测量精度。针对HY-2卫星雷达高度计的时标偏差问题,本文分析了时标偏差对测高精度的影响,介绍了一种使用自交叉点数据估算时标偏差值的方法,并基于HY-2卫星雷达高度计第21个周期数据开展了时标偏差修正实验。时标偏差修正后HY-2自交叉点的海面高度差值(也称"不符值")分布收敛程度有了明显的提高,其RMS均方根值从24.7 cm减小到了7.0 cm,HY-2与Jason-2互交叉点的不符值的RMS也从16.6 cm减小到了7.3 cm。这表明本文介绍的时标偏差修正方法可有效地提高HY-2卫星雷达高度计的测高精度。     

多源数据推求的西太平洋区域海面动力地形比较分析

简述利用空间大地测量观测数据和海洋水文数据推求海面动力地形的方法。基于EGM96重力场模型和卫星重力恢复的重力场模型GL04C,联合卫星测高平均海面高模型分别推算西太平洋海域的平均海面动力地形,并与根据海洋水文数据推算之结果进行比较分析。结果表明:卫星重力场模型GL04C更好地表现了海面地形的细节特征。卫星重力和卫星测高的联合应用将成为确定海面动力地形的有效途径之一。     

Short-wave measurements by a fixed tower-based and a drifting buoysystem

The small-scale roughness of the sea surface acts as an important link in air-sea interaction processes. Radar and sonar waves are scattered by short surface waves providing the basis for remote sensing methods of the sea surface. At high wind speeds, breaking waves occur. Bubbles penetrate into the water and drastically increase acoustical reverberation, transmission loss and ambient noise. Thus, the development of short waves and wave breaking have to be known to apply radar remote sensing to the surface and to deduce from radar backscatter which sonar conditions prevail. To measure the wind dependence of short waves an experimental device was constructed for use from stationary platforms. It is nearly all-weather capable and can easily be handled by a crane. On the other hand, frequencies of short waves measured in a fixed position are extremely frequency shifted by currents. This limits the usefulness of tower-based measurements, e.g., the short wave modulation by wind and waves or currents can only be estimated in a rough approximation. Consequently, a buoy was developed to reduce the frequency shifts. The principle of the buoy is to drift in the local surface current and to follow the amplitudes of long waves. Therefore, short waves are measured in facets of long waves and the Doppler shifts are minimized. The wind is measured at a constant height above the long wave profile and relative to the moving facets. The paper describes the conventional measuring device and points out the necessity of the drifting buoy system. Examples of wind and wave spectra are presented and short wave modulations by long waves are depicted, too. From these measurements, new insights in short wave behaviour have to be expected     

机载GNSS反射信号海面测高模型的研究

相对于岸基GNSS-R技术,机载GNSS-R优势在于其空间分辨率高、监测范围广,可对特定区域范围进行高分辨率监测,兼具了灵活的高度和方位调节的同时保障了更高的数据质量。本文主要研究了机载GNSS-R测高模型,依据岸基GNSS-R码测高原理,针对大气延迟、天线距离等进行修正,优化机载测高模型,同时采用DTU10全球海面平均高度及潮汐模型验证机载GNSS-R测高模型的精度。通过分析2011年11月11日,CSIC-IEEC在芬兰波罗的海的GNSS-R机载数据,针对不同仰角下的实验数据进行反演,成功地实现了亚米级机载海面高度反演,得出仰角大小会对测高结果精度产生较大影响的结论,定性分析了仰角大小所引起的误差范围。本文的结果证明了机载GNSS-R的海面测高的可行性。     

A physical radar cross-section model for a wind-driven sea with swell

A new spectrum model for the ocean surface is proposed. We determine the two unknown parameters in this spectrum by fitting it to radar observations. We find that this spectrum combined with two-scale scattering theory can predict much of the observed dependence of the radar cross section on radar frequency, polarization, angle of incidence, and wind velocity at incidence angles in the0deg-70degrange. The spectrum model is combined with a model for swell to examine the effect of swell on the radar cross section. We find that the effect of swell is significant for low radar frequencies (Lband) and near normal incidence but can be nearly eliminated by using higher frequencies (K_{u}band) and large angles of incidence (approx 50deg).     

Altimetry-observed semi-annual cycle in the South China Sea: Real signal or alias of K1 tidal error?

There have been a number of applications of satellite altimetry to seasonal and interannual sea level variability in the South China Sea. However, these applications usually exclude shallow waters along the coast, with one of the concerns being large aliased tide-correction error. In this study the authors analyzed 14 years of merged satellite altimeter data to obtain the amplitude and phase of the semi-annual cycle and to examine the variation at the K1 alias frequency (close to the semi-annual frequency). The results indicate that the amplitude of the semi-annual cycle ranges from 3-7 cm, substantial compared with that of the annual cycle; while the amplitude at the K1 alias frequency (error of the K1 tidal correction) is essentially 1 cm only. Altimeter–derived semi-annual cycle is in good agreement with that from independent tide-gauge observations, pointing to the competent ability of satellite altimetry in observing semi-annual sea level variations in the South China Sea.     

Radar sensing of the ocean

Radar remote sensing of the ocean has been the subject of research for about 20 years. Spaceborne radar altimetry and scatterometry are approaching maturity, and synthetic-aperture radars (SAR) show great promise. The principles of radar scattering from the sea are outlined here, along with some recently discovered questions. For wind-vector scatterometry, the principle is presented, and remaining uncertainties are outlined. Principles of SAR imaging of moving targets, and particularly the ocean surface, are outlined. The theory of SAR wave imaging is the subject of considerable controversy, and some principles that can be used in evaluating the various theories are presented, along with brief outlines of the major conflicting theories. Other uses of SAR images are discussed briefly, with a theory to explain the bathymetric expression outlined.     

Short pulse radar used to measure sea surface wind speed and SWH

A joint airborne measurement program is being pursued by NRL and NASA Wallops Flight Center to determine the extent to which wind speed and sea surface significant wave height (SWH) can be measured quantitatively and remotely with a short pulse (2 ns), wide-beam (60deg), nadir-looking 3-cm radar. The concept involves relative power measurements only and does not need a scanning antenna, doppler filters, or absolute power calibration. The slopes of the leading and trailing edges of the averaged received power for the pulse limited altimeter are used to infer SWH and surface wind speed. The interpretation is based on theoretical models of the effects of SWH on the leading edge shape and rms sea-surface slope on the trailing-edge shape. The models include the radar system parameters of antenna beam width and pulsewidth. Preliminary experimental results look promising and indicate that it may be possible to design a relatively compact airborne radar to infer, in real-time, the sea surface SWH and surface wind speed.     

Computerized detection of seamounts from Seasat type geodetic data

Abstract

Geoid heights and vertical deflections derived from satellite radar altimetry contain characteristic signals that may be reproduced and explained by simple models for seamount gravitation acting on the sea surface. Computer algorithms capable of automatic operation and able to detect, approximately locate, and estimate parameters constraining the shape of actual sea‐mounts were written and tested. The computer program which utilized a digital high‐pass filter combined with a roughness sensor was effective in separating the seamount produced geoid undulation/vertical deflection pattern from the remaining data track features, simultaneously detecting and locating along the track such signals. Tests of the algorithm on several SEASAT passes over known bathymetry produced mixed results. Meaningful shape constraints were obtained by matching the geoid anomaly calculated from the seamount model to the actual mean sea level pattern for some seamounts. Results for other seamounts were poor and possible reasons for the failure are discussed. It is concluded that a computerized seamount detection program for radar altimetry data is feasible, but it will have to be more complex than the present one for fully successful operation.     

卫星测高技术应用研究回顾与展望

简要介绍了笔者所在单位近十年来密切跟踪世界发展动态,灵活运用高新技术,致力于卫星测高技术应用研究所取得的一些有理论意义和实用价值的成果,这些成果主要包括四个方面：卫星测高径向轨道误差时域和空域特征分析、卫星测高反演海洋重力场、卫星测高反演海底地形以及利用测高重力异常扩展超高阶地球位模型研究成果。最后对这一研究领域未来的发展方向作了展望。     

Aircraft measurements of the microwave scattering signature of the ocean

Microwave scattering signatures of the ocean have been measured over a range of surface wind speeds from 3 m/s to 23.6 m/s using the AAFE RADSCAT scatterometer in an aircraft. Normalized scattering coefficients are presented for vertical and horizontal polarizations as a function of incidence angle (nadir to55deg) and radar azimuth angle (0degto360deg) relative to surface wind direction. For a given radar polarization, incidence angle, and azimuth angle relative to the wind direction, these scattering data exhibit a power law dependence on surface wind speed. The relation of the scattering coefficient to azimuth angle obtained during aircraft circles (antenna conical scans) is anisotropic and suggests that microwave scatterometers can be used to infer both wind speed and direction. These results have been used for the design of the Seasat-A Satellite Scatterometer (SASS) to be flown in 1978 on this first NASA oceanographic satellite.     

High-frequency radar measurements of the ocean wave-directionalspectrum

Measurements of the ocean wave directional spectrum using a dual, high-frequency (HF) radar system are presented. A model-fitting technique is used to obtain wave measurements from the radar Doppler spectra. Over 100 h of data, collected NURWEC2 (Netherlands-UK Radar Wavebuoy Experimental Comparison), have been compared with measurements using a WAVEC directional wave buoy. The amplitude and directional characteristics of long-wave components at frequencies of 0.07-0.1 Hz in general show good agreement. Reasonable estimates of the directional spectrum across the whole frequency range are obtained when the assumptions of the model-fitting technique are appropriate. Remaining problems in radar measurement and difficulties in assessing accuracy are discussed     

M2 model of the global ocean tide derived from SEASAT altimetry

Abstract

The recovery of ocean tides from satellite altimetry, an attractive alternative to the hydrodynamical‐numerical approach, is investigated to create a global model of the M2 tide. From the outline of the difficulties faced in altimetry interpretation, we bring out general guidelines to extract the tidal information from a short span of measurements. In particular, we discuss the choice of a reference surface and the effect of the orbit error and tidal aliasing on the recovery. From space‐time harmonic analyses of twenty‐four days of SEASAT altimetry, we derive M2 solutions expanded into series of surface spherical harmonics for the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans separately and for the world ocean. The M2 cotidal maps we obtain feature qualitatively realistic tidal patterns and are consistent with the deep sea gages data. We then cast the bases to estimate the error budget of the altimeter tide solutions. The M2 fundamental harmonics involved in tidal energetics are evaluated from a spectral convolution of the global solutions with the ocean function and are used to test and discuss our results.

The present tidal recoveries must still be considered as preliminary trials because they are strongly dependent on the limits of the SEASAT mission and subject to improvements via an updating of our analysis procedure. But the altimeter approach of the open ocean tide modelling proves to be efficient, and the objective—to produce highly reliable models with the support of the next generation of satellite altimeters—is reasonably optimistic.     

局部重力场球冠谐分析中的导数计算及应用

在建立局部地区的地球重力场模型中,球冠谐分析是一种有效的方法。在球冠坐标系下建立重力场模型时,仅涉及到重力位的垂向分量,不必进行关于极角的微分运算,所以仅用单个正交基来建模,但若要在球冠坐标系下对重力场作进一步分析,如类似于平面处理的导数运算,来突出地质体的边界,要计算极角的微分,利用单个正交基表示则不易收敛,且误差较大。本文中作者采用两个正交基函数在球冠坐标系下对重力场建模,推导计算了径向导数和曲面导数模,并利用棱柱体正演模型进行检验,结果表明双基函数建模更适合曲面上的位场表示。最后计算了冲绳海槽地区卫星测高重力异常数据的曲面导数,径向导数清晰划分了东海陆架上大构造单元,曲面导数梯度带显示了东海陆架外缘隆起带,也指示了陆架盆地内的一些局部构造。这表明双基函数的球冠谐分析是一种有效的曲面位场建模方法。     

A time-varying parameter model of a body oscillating in pitch

Among the assumptions upon which linear time-invariant models of floating bodies are based is that the body motions are so small that any change in the body’s angular position can be disregarded. However, it is often a major design requirement of a wave energy conversion device that the response amplitude is large, thereby invalidating one of the assumptions of the linear model. In particular, the immersed geometry of a body undergoes considerable variation when it is moved in pitch. With regard to this we investigate the difference in performance between a quasi-linear model in which the change of immersed surface is modelled by time-varying parameters and a basic linear model in which the immersed surface is time-invariant. The time-varying parameter model is realized by interpolation between the appropriate parameter values of a set of linear time-invariant (LTI) models derived for the different immersed surfaces that occur at discrete body displacements. It is shown that the responses predicted using the time-varying parameter model are closer to those measured experimentally than those of a standard frequency-domain model. Particular improvement occurs when the responses are large, such as at or near the resonance frequency. A problem which may limit the general use of the model is also discussed.     

A minimum variance unbiased estimator for ocean surface currentsbased on multifrequency microwave radar observations

This paper presents a minimum variance unbiased (MVU) estimator for estimating an ocean surface current using the multifrequency microwave radar technique. In this technique the current information is obtained by finding the difference between the measured phase velocities of some specific surface gravity waves and the phase velocities calculated from the dispersion relation for still water. By defining the problem as a linear estimation problem, we develop an unbiased estimator for the current component along the radar look direction, which has a variance that is inversely proportional to the sum of the squared wavenumbers of the gravity waves used in the measurements. We also study the performance of an MVU vector estimator based on radar observations along two directions. Our analysis shows that the confidence region of this estimator has the shape of an elongated ellipse with semi-axes and orientation which are dependent on the angle between the observation directions, but independent on the true current vector. Furthermore, the theoretical models are thoroughly tested using both simulated and real radar data, and these tests show very good agreement with the model predictions     

GPS浮标数据反演海浪谱的理论仿真与试验验证

GPS浮标作为一种新型的海洋测量设备,近年来在海面高度现场测量和星载高度计定标方面取得了重要应用。通过仿真试验对反演海浪谱的方法和流程进行研究,旨在探索从GPS浮标测量的海面高度序列中提取海浪谱的方法。首先,使用Longuest模型生成了海浪波面位移时间序列,并通过Pierson-Moscowitz风浪谱对波面位移的统计特性进行约束,其随机性由相位引入。结合典型潮汐和GPS浮标仪器噪声的仿真时间序列,合成了仿真时间长度1h的1Hz(每秒1次)随机海面高度序列。然后,利用自相关函数法,进行高通滤波和数据压缩,得到了仿真的海浪谱。该仿真结果和理论海浪谱非常接近,可满足海浪谱反演的需求。最后,通过山东石岛外海的GPS浮标现场试验,验证了本文提出的反演方法的适用性。本文的研究解决了GPS浮标反演海浪谱的关键问题,丰富了海浪谱反演的手段,拓展了GPS浮标的应用领域,有望为未来我国的星载波谱仪定标服务。