Article Type:
Research Article

Remote Sensing of Ocean Waves by Polarimetric SAR

Yijun He Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China

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Hui Shen Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, and Graduate School of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

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William Perrie Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartsmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada

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Print Publication:
01 Dec 2006
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH1948.1
Page(s):
1768–1773
Restricted access

Abstract

A new method to measure ocean wave slope spectra using fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (POLSAR) data was developed without the need for a complex hydrodynamic modulation transform function. There is no explicit use of a hydrodynamic modulation transfer function. This function is not clearly known and is based on hydrodynamic assumptions. The method is different from those developed by Schuler and colleagues or Pottier but complements their methods. The results estimated from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) C-band polarimetric SAR data show that the ocean wavelength, wave direction, and significant wave height are in agreement with buoy measurements. The proposed method can be employed by future satellite missions such as RADARSAT-2.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Yijun He, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Rd., Qingdao 266071, China. Email: heyj@ms.adio.ac.cn

Abstract

A new method to measure ocean wave slope spectra using fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (POLSAR) data was developed without the need for a complex hydrodynamic modulation transform function. There is no explicit use of a hydrodynamic modulation transfer function. This function is not clearly known and is based on hydrodynamic assumptions. The method is different from those developed by Schuler and colleagues or Pottier but complements their methods. The results estimated from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) C-band polarimetric SAR data show that the ocean wavelength, wave direction, and significant wave height are in agreement with buoy measurements. The proposed method can be employed by future satellite missions such as RADARSAT-2.

Corresponding author address: Dr. Yijun He, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 7 Nanhai Rd., Qingdao 266071, China. Email: heyj@ms.adio.ac.cn

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Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology

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