Development of Experimental Protocols for the Calibration of SSM/T-2 Millimeter Wave Moisture Sounder Data.
Abstract
This report summarizes four years of the Phillips Laboratory and AER, Inc.'s efforts in the calibration of the DMSP SSM/T-2 millimeter wave moisture sounder. Thirteen underflights of the T-2 were made by the NASA ER-2 research aircraft which carried the MIR, an instrument similar to the T-2. Comparisons of the 183 GHz measurements over water FOVs displayed RMS differences of 0.9 to 1.6 K, roughly within the accuracy limits of the calibrating MIR instrument. The overall conclusion was that the T-2 suffered no significant bias in its calibration. An additional focus was to examine the T-2 sensitivity to the variability of the atmosphere: temperature and moisture profiles, surface temperature and emissivity, satellite viewing angle, clouds and precipitation. Also, with the failure of the 150 GHz channel on F-11 in June 1993, an additional challenge was to synthesize 150 GHz Tbs by a multiple regression method. This work highlighted the necessity of aircraft in the calibration of satellite sensors. In addition, the wealth of information collected during a calibration effort provided invaluable understanding of the sensor behavior and limitations, both essential to users of the satellite information.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 24, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA326607
Entities
People
- Charles P. Sarkisian
- Jean-luc Moncet
- John D. Pickle
- Ronald G. Isaacs
- Vida Jakabhazy
Organizations
- Atmospheric and Environmental Research, Inc