A C-band cross polarization geophysical model function

Abstract

Microwave backscattering from the ocean surface is closely related to the wind-generated ocean surface roughness. This property is used for obtaining global ocean surface vector winds. The deployed scatterometers so far do not use the cross-polarized sea return (VH, representing either vertical transmit horizontal receive or horizontal transmit vertical receive) because of its weak signal level. The copolarized returns (VV or HH), however, may saturate in high wind speeds especially for low incidence angles.