Performance Evaluation of Space-borne Scatterometer

Study results are presented showing performance capability of a spaceborne scatterometer to operationally measure ocean surface wind speed and direction. In addition, a research mode is described which will allow development of improved radar signatures for ocean, sea ice, and land targets. The study results show that a scatterometer can meet the operational requirements of ± 2 m/s wind speed accuracy (or ± 10%, whichever is greater) and ± 20° wind direction accuracy over most of the expected ocean surface conditions. The six beam scatterometer design evaluated is shown to be skillful (>; 90% correct) in specifying the correct wind vector solution (with a 180° ambiguity) from the multiple solutions derived; further improvement must rely on meteorological and pattern recognition techniques now under study.