Using Semicircular Sampling to Increase Sea-Wind Retrieval Altitude with a High-Altitude UAV Scatterometer

Currently, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are widely used due to their low cost and flexibility. In particular, they in remote sensing as airborne platforms for various instruments. Here, we investigate the capability of a conical scanning radar operated scatterometer mounted on high-altitude UAV perform sea surface wind retrieval based an appropriate geophysical model function (GMF). Increasing maximum altitude method’s applicability is important problem or manned aircraft scatterometers. For this purpose, consider possibility increasing by applying semicircular scheme azimuth normalized cross section (NRCS) sampling instead whole 360° circular scheme. We developed algorithms both NRCS schemes evaluated them using Monte Carlo simulations. The simulations showed that enables twice compared At same time, however, requires approximately three times number integrated samples each sector provide equivalent accuracy. Nonetheless, our results confirm well-suited retrieval, any errors within typical range recovery. obtained can be enhancing existing radars, development new systems.