Sea State Measurements Using TerraSAR-X Data

Kurzfassung

Algorithms have been developed to extract meteo-marine information from the high-resolution TerraSAR-X (T-X)SAR data. The XWAVE algorithm for estimation of significant wave height and the XMOD algorithm for estimation of ocean surface wind speed.The XWAVE algorithm is based on Fourier analyses of TS-X data and uses a geophysical model function with coefficients that are found by fitting collocated hindcast wave model wave height results provided by the German Weather Center(DWD)and buoy in-situ measurements. Wind information provided by the XMOD algorithm is applied to improve the estimation of wave height from TS-X data. The integrated wave parameters derived from TS-X are compared to wave model results and buoy in-situ measurements for different locations. Wave peak direction of the SAR spectrum is also compared to Wave Peak direction obtained from directional buoys. Additionally the SAR integrated 1D spectrum is compared to 1D spectrum obtained from buoys measurements. TS-X data is particularly suitable for the characterization of sea state variability in the spatial domain in coastal areas. A study on sea state variability on coastal areas is presented using TS-X data. Changing sea state properties are investigated. Results are compared to wave spectral model designed for coastal applications and in-situ measurements where available.