Moller, D. ., Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Cal, Pasadena, USA, delwyn.moller@jpl.nasa.gov
Rodriguez, E. ., Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA, ernesto.rodriguez@jpl.nasa.gov

CHARACTERIZATION OF KA-BAND SWATH ALTIMETRY PERFORMANCE FOR SURFACE WATER HYDROLOGY

Traditional radar altimetry has demonstrated the ability to retrieve surface water heights with decimeter accuracies along the nadir path. However, a profiling sensor is insufficient to provide global monitoring of fresh water bodies. In response, the WatER HM mission proposes a swath-based imaging altimeter to provide the key hydrologic variables needed for comprehensive river discharge and storage observations, specifically temporal height change, slope and spatial extent. In addition, key imaging capabilities provide classification masks and data for topographic corrections. Initially, we identify the error sources that a near-nadir synthetic aperture radar interferometer, such as the KaRIN instrument proposed to meet the WatER requirements, would incur. We then demonstrate that with appropriate calibration techniques, measurements of river stage with an accuracy of approximately 5 cm and river slope with an accuracy of 1 cm/1km are achievable. Finally, we focus on methodologies for land/water and layover classification and limitations imposed due to temporal decorrelation of the water and local topography respectively.

Poster presentation

Presentation is given by student: No
Session #:006
Date: 03-03-2008
Time: 17:30 - 19:30