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Correction of Sampling Errors in Ocean Surface Cross-Sectional Estimates from Nadir-Looking Weather RadarThe return from the ocean surface has a number of uses for airborne meteorological radar. The normalized surface cross section has been used for radar system calibration, estimation of surface winds, and in algorithms for estimating the path-integrated attenuation in rain. However, meteorological radars are normally optimized for observation of distributed targets that fill the resolution volume, and so a point target such as the surface can be poorly sampled, particularly at near-nadir look angles. Sampling the nadir surface return at an insufficient rate results in a negative bias of the estimated cross section. This error is found to be as large as 4 dB using observations from a high-altitude airborne radar. An algorithm for mitigating the error is developed that is based upon the shape of the surface echo and uses the returned signal at the three range gates nearest the peak surface echo.
Document ID
20000038109
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Caylor, I. Jeff
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Meneghini, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Miller, L. S.
(Clemson Univ. SC United States)
Heymsfield, G. M.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1997
Publication Information
Publication: Laboratory for Hydrospheric Processes Research Publications
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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