C-Band Right-Circular Polarization Ocean Wind Retrieval

We report an investigation of ocean-surface wind speed retrieval from C-band RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images using a new channel of coright-circular polarization (RR-pol) in compact polarimetry (CP) option. The analysis of simulated RCM quad-polarized CP SAR data and collocated in situ buoy measurements suggests that the RR-pol is much less sensitive to wind directions than the other three polarizations in the CP option. A method is proposed for the RR-pol radar signal as a function of wind speed and incidence angle. We demonstrate that C-band RR-pol has the potential for ocean high wind retrieval, especially for cyclone studies.