In this page, analysis are performed with respect to wave mode beam (wv1 or wv2) and pass (ascending or descending). Results are presented in 4 columns for WV1/Ascending, WV1/Descending, WV2/Ascending and WV2/descending - from left to right. We adress the main radar parameters that are used for wind and waves inversion: Normalized Radar Cross section (NRCS), Azimuth Cut Off, Normalized Variance (Nv), Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). Some sections have "Details" sub-sections. They are for advanced users, but access is not restricted.
Data Set Statistics
This section presents general information on the data set used for the analysis such as its geographical and temporal distributions.
Geographical Distribution
This section presents the geographical distribution of Sentinel-1 measurements used in this page for our analysis. Indeed, it may be interested to know how homgeneous in space is the sampling. It also allows a posteriori monitoring of the data acquisition plan. Note that we restricted our analysis to imagettes acquired between 60°S and 60°N to avoid any ice contamination.
Temporal Distribution
This section presents the temporal distribution of measurements used in this page for our analysis. Indeed, it may be interested to know how homgeneous in time is the sampling. It also allow a posteriori monitoring of the possible stops in the Wave Mode acquisitions.
Geographical Distribution of Incidence Angles
It presents the geographical distribution of the incidence angles for the considered month. Values around 23° are expected for WV1 and around 36° for WV2.
Distribution of incidence Angles Values
It presents the geopraphical distribution of the incidence angles for the considered month. Values around 23° are expected for WV1 and around 36° for WV2.
ESA L2 Normalized Radar Cross Section (NRCS)
Geographical Distribution of NRCS
It presents the geographical distribution of the mean Normalized Radar Cross Section for the considered month.
Distribution of NRCS
It presents the distribution of the Normalized Radar Cross Section for the considered month.
ESA L2 Normalized Radar Cross Section (NRCS) versus geographical parameters
NRCS & ECMWF Wind Speed
It presents the relationship between NRCS and ocean surface wind speed as given by ECMWF model. The strong correlation between these two quantities is the basis of the wind inversion scheme.
NRCS & ECMWF Wind Direction
It presents the relationship between NRCS and ocean surface wind direction with respect to the antenna look direction. Ocean surface wind direction is given by ECMWF model. To take into account for this strong relationship between NRCS and wind direction, wind direction is an ancillary information from ECMWF model used as input of the wind inversion algorithm.
ESA L2 Azimuth Cut Off
Geographical Distribution of NRCS
It presents the geographical distribution of the mean Azimuth Cut Off for the considered month.
Distribution of Azimuth Cut Off
It presents the distribution of the Azimuth Cut Off for the considered month.
ESA L2 Azimuth Cut Off versus geographical parameters
Azimuth Cut Off & ECMWF Wind Speed
It presents the relationship between Azimuth Cut Off and ocean surface wind speed as given by ECMWF model.
Azimuth Cut Off & WW3 Total significant Wave Height
It presents the relationship between Azimuth Cut Off and Total significant Wave Height as given by Wave Watch 3 model.
ESA L2 Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR)
Geographical Distribution of Signal to Noise Ratio
It presents the geographical distribution of the mean Signal to Noise Ratio for the considered month.
Distribution of Signal to Noise Ratio
It presents the distribution of the Signal to Noise Ratio for the considered month.
ESA L2 Signal to Noise Ratio versus geographical parameters
Signal to Noise Ratio & ECMWF Wind Speed
It presents the relationship between Signal to Noise Ratio and ocean surface wind speed as given by ECMWF model.
Signal to Noise Ratio & WW3 Total significant Wave Height
It presents the relationship between Signal to Noise Ratio and Total significant Wave Height as given by Wave Watch 3 model.
ESA L2 Normalized Variance (Nv)
Geographical Distribution of Normalized Variance
It presents the geographical distribution of the mean Normalized Variance for the considered month.
Distribution of Normalized Variance
It presents the distribution of the Normalized Variance for the considered month.
ESA L2 Normalized Variance versus geographical parameters
Normalized Variance & ECMWF Wind Speed
It presents the relationship between Normalized Variance and ocean surface wind speed as given by ECMWF model.
Normalized Variance & WW3 Total significant Wave Height
It presents the relationship between Normalized Variance and Total significant Wave Height as given by Wave Watch 3 model.
Normalized Variance & WW3 Total significant Wave Height & ECMWF Wind Speed
It presents the relationship between Normalized Variance and Total significant Wave Height as given by Wave Watch 3 model and ocean surface wind speed as given by ECMWF model.
Normalized Variance & WW3 Total significant Wave Height & Normalized Radar Cross Section
It presents the relationship between Normalized Variance and Total significant Wave Height as given by Wave Watch 3 model and Normalized Radar Cross Section.
Normalized Variance & WW3 Total significant Wave Height & Azimuth Cut off
It presents the relationship between Normalized Variance and Total significant Wave Height as given by Wave Watch 3 model and Azimuth Cut Off.
