Laboratory modeling of the electromagnetic scattering processes during ocean surface remote sensing

An advance in the development of the ocean surface remote sensing methods requires calibration experiments, which are performed most conveniently using laboratory facilities. The experimental prototype of a X-band Doppler radioscatterometer, which is optimized for studying physical processes of electromagnetic scattering at the ocean surface in controlled laboratory conditions, was designed specifically for these purposes and tested at HSWWF. The design of this prototype allows one to measure the radar cross section and its Doppler spectrum, both at co- and cross-polarizations (VV, HH and HV, VH, respectively).

Basing on the measurements of the radar cross-section (RCS) of the water surface and parameters of the turbulent atmospheric boundary layer for the hurricane or storm conditions, we propose a new geophysical model function that connects RCS and the friction velocity, as well as the equivalent wind velocity at a height of 10 m. The proposed model function can be applied to retreive wind parameters remotely in a wide range of conditions, including such extreme ones as storms and hurricanes. This research was performed within the framework of the Federal Targeted Programme for Research and Development in Priority Areas of Development of the Russian Scientific and Technological Complex for 2014–2020 (Subsidy Agreement No. 14.616.21.0059).

NRCS dependence at the co-polarization and cross-polarization on the wind friction velocity for various incidence angles: VV polarization (a), HH polarization (b), HV polarization (c), and VH polarization (d).

Abramov V. I., Zuikova E. M., Sergeev D. A., Troitskaya Yu. I., Ermoshkin A. V., and Kazakov V. I. Polarized X-band Doppler radar scatterometer for investigation of microwave scattering of the wavy water surface in laboratory conditions // Radioelectronics and Communications Systems, 2017, V. 60, N. 9, P. 503–514.

Troitskaya Y., Ermoshkin A., Zuikova E., Kazakov V., Sergeev D., Kandaurov A., Ermakova O., and Abramov V. Laboratory study of cross-polarized radar return under gale-force wind conditions // International Journal of Remote Sensing, 2016, V. 37, No. 9, P.1981–1989.

Troitskaya Yu. I., Abramov V. I., Ermoshkin A. V., Zuikova E. M., Kazakov V. I., Sergeev D. A., Kandaurov A. A., and Ermakova O. S. Laboratory simulation of back-scattering of microwaves at the sea surface at strong and hurricane winds // Sovremennye problemy distantsionnogo zondirovaniya Zemli iz kosmosa, 2016, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 45–59.

Troitskaya Yu. I., Abramov V. I., Ermoshkin A. V., Zuikova E. M., Kazakov V. I., Sergeev D. A., Kandaurov A. A., and Ermakova O. S. On reconstruction of turbulent momentum flux in the atmospheric boundary layer under strong wind and hurricane conditions from measurements of sea surface microwave backscatter cross section on orthogonal polarization // Sovremennye problemy distantsionnogo zondirovaniya Zemli iz kosmosa, 2016, Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 63–74.