Wind field retrieval over the ocean using X-band polarization SAR data

An X-band wind field algorithm (XMOD) based on a linear approach is discussed in our previous work to describe the relationship between normalized radar cross section (NRCS), wind speed, wind direction and incidence angle. To apply the XMOD to TerraSAR-X data acquired in HH polarization, the two C-band polarization models are analyzed and tuned to X-band TerraSAR-X data. To demonstrate the applicability of the two models, 10m height wind speeds were computed with XMOD from several VV/HH TerraSAR-X images and validated by QuikScat and DWD model results. In addition, the wind speeds were retrieved and compared to each other from the HH and VV polarization TerraSAR-X images of the same scene at the same time.