On the applicability of a conventional microwave marine radar system to quantitative measurements of the ocean surface roughness and oceanographic applications

Gommenginger, Christine Pascale (1997) On the applicability of a conventional microwave marine radar system to quantitative measurements of the ocean surface roughness and oceanographic applications. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This thesis examines the capabilities of a conventional X-band marine radar associated with a digital capture board for quantitative measurement of ocean surface roughness, and to provide a useful tool for oceanographic research. For the first time, the detection performances of a conventional marine radar system are established and found particularly suitable to sea clutter measurements at low grazing angles. Similarly, the definition of the system's radiometric resolution reveals that data quality is comparable to that of traditional research microwave radars.

The study of the relation between the ocean backscatter and operational parameters establishes the dominant influence of ocean wave crest scattering and shadowing processes at low grazing angles. A composite shadowing model is proposed and found to provide a satisfactory method to estimate the range of ocean backscatter extinction in a wide range of operational and environmental conditions. Examples of the positive contribution of the system in particular investigations establish the great potential of this type of instrument in oceanographic research.

Text

513439.pdf - Version of Record

Available under License University of Southampton Thesis Licence.

Download (44MB)