A median-filter-based ambiguity removal algorithm for NSCAT

A description is given of the baseline NSCAT (the NASA scatterometer) ambiguity removal algorithm and the method used to select the set of optimum parameter values. An extensive simulation of the NSCAT instrument and ground data processor provides a means of testing the resulting tuned algorithm. This simulation generates the ambiguous wind-field vectors expected from the instrument as it orbits over a set of realistic mesoscale wind fields. The ambiguous wind field is then de-aliased using the median-filter-based ambiguity removal algorithm. Performance is measured by comparison of the selected wind fields with the true wind fields. Results have shown that this median-filter-based ambiguity removal algorithm satisfies NSCAT mission requirements, and it therefore has been incorporated into the baseline geophysical data-processing system for NSCAT