Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization (CALIOP) Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document

This Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (ATBD) is being distributed to document the initial designs of the science retrieval algorithms implemented for the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations (CALIPSO) mission. These algorithms represent state-of-the-art science data product retrievals from space-based lidar measurements circa 2006. For CALIPSO’s final (version 5.0) data release, some of these algorithms remain operational in close to their original instantiation. Others have been significantly modified. The ATBDs should therefore be considered as historical points of departure for future developments. Updates to the original algorithms made over the years and the introduction of newly developed algorithms are fully described in the list of peer-reviewed journal articles below.