Measurement of ocean wave spectra using polarimetric SAR data

New methods have been investigated which use fully-polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image data to measure ocean wave slope spectra. Independent techniques have been developed to measure wave slopes in the orthogonal SAR (azimuth/range) directions. These measurements must still contend with motion-induced nonlinearities in the SAR processing. The methods are, however, physically based, robust, and utilize a parametrically simpler modulation transfer function. NASA/JPL/AIRSAR L-band data from California coastal waters has been used. Wave spectra measured using the new methods are compared with spectra developed using both conventional SAR intensity-based methods and NDBC buoys.