Work

Simulation Study of the Effect of Multi-Angle ATI-SAR on Sea Surface Current Retrieval Accuracy

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study investigates the effects of multi-angle along-track interferometric synthetic aperture radar (ATI-SAR) observations on the accuracy of sea surface current retrieval. Utilizing a high-fidelity, full-link SAR ocean simulator, this study systematically assesses the influence of three key factors—the angle between observation directions, the relative orientation of wind and current, and wind speed—on the precision of two-dimensional (2D) current vector retrievals. Results demonstrate that observation geometry is a dominant factor: retrieval errors are minimized when the two viewing directions are near-orthogonal (~90°), while near-parallel (0° or 180°) geometries result in significant error amplification. Furthermore, the angle between wind and current introduces complex, non-linear error characteristics, with a perpendicular alignment minimizing velocity error but maximizing direction error. Higher wind speeds are found to degrade both velocity and direction retrieval accuracy. Collectively, these findings provide crucial quantitative guidance for optimizing the mission design, observation planning, and algorithm development for future multi-angle ATI-SAR satellite constellations dedicated to ocean current monitoring.

Source: Remote Sensing

DOI: 10.3390/rs17193383

Authors: Jiabao Chen, Xiangying Miao, Yong Wan, Jiahui Zhang, Hongli Miao

Institutions: China University of Petroleum, East China, Ocean University of China

Language: English

Topic: Ocean Waves and Remote Sensing

Subfield: Oceanography

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,258

Funders: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Sun Yat-sen University, Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities