Wind vector retrieval using dual polarization imagery of ASAR

A new algorithm for retrieving wind vector using dual polarization imagery of advanced synthetic aperture radar (ASAR) is developed and tested. Based on the combination of co-polarization and cross-polarization, this new algorithm effectively eliminates the 180 degrees ambiguity which occurs when using single imagery of the ASAR to retrieve wind vector. This algorithm also solves the problem that the retrieval results will break clown on very small spatial scales. The results retrieved from dual polarization imagery of ASAR show that the wind speed and direction are in agreement with the data from Quikscat and buoy measurements. The root mean square errors of wind direction and speed between the retrieved results and data from Quikscat are 2.21 degrees and 0.53 m/s, respectively. Comparisons between the new method and the traditional method show that the new methods fit the buoy data and Quikscat data a little better than the traditional method in this image.