Minimizing Errors of Ocean Currents Measured by Electromagnetic Backscatter

The use of a single HF or microwave radar permits the radial component of the ocean surface current to be mapped for the radar look direction [1, 2]. The azimuthal component of the surface current can also be calculated by invoking the continuity equation for the surface current [3]. A problem with this approach is that the error in the calculated azimuthal currents becomes excessive when the number of pixels in the current map is large. In this paper we present a statistical analysis of the relevant errors. We present an algorithm which reduces the errors to alevel comparable to the optimum level that can be achieved. We compare the theoretical results with those obtained from a computer simulation of the process. The results indicate that surface current maps for large areas of the ocean are feasible using a single radar system.