AMSU-B: a new tool for atmospheric research

Roger W. Saunders; Stephen J. English; David C. Jones

doi:10.1117/12.197338

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21 December 1994 AMSU-B: a new tool for atmospheric research

Roger W. Saunders, Stephen J. English, David C. Jones

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Proceedings Volume 2313, Microwave Instrumentation and Satellite Photogrammetry for Remote Sensing of the Earth; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.197338
Event: Satellite Remote Sensing, 1994, Rome, Italy

Abstract

The U.K. Meteorological Office (UKMO) is providing to NOAA three flight models of the high frequency part of the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit known as AMSU-B. The AMSU-B is a five channel microwave radiometer with channels centered at 89, 150, 183+/- 1, 183+/- 3 and 183+/- 7 GHz with a field of view of nominally 1.1 degree(s) (i.e. 15 km footprint at nadir). AMSU-B will fly on the NOAA KLM polar orbiters due to be launched in the next few years. All three AMSU-B flight models have undergone a comprehensive test and characterization program to measure the antenna pattern and spectral, radiometric and thermal properties of each instrument. The results from this test program have allowed a procedure for the in-orbit calibration of AMSU-B to be defined. In parallel with the development of the AMSU-B radiometer a program of aircraft radiometer measurements and model development has been carried out with the aim of improving our capability of predicting the radiative transfer through the atmosphere at AMSU-B frequencies. The aircraft radiometer has channels at 89 GHz and 157 GHz which are close to the corresponding window channels of AMSU-B and it can view both upwards and downwards. Measurements of clear transmission, sea surface emissivity and transmission through cloud liquid water have all been analyzed. Based on these measurements a forward radiative transfer model is being developed which will be used in the retrieval of temperature, humidity and cloud liquid water from AMSU.

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Roger W. Saunders, Stephen J. English, and David C. Jones "AMSU-B: a new tool for atmospheric research", Proc. SPIE 2313, Microwave Instrumentation and Satellite Photogrammetry for Remote Sensing of the Earth, (21 December 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.197338

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