A new parameterization of the Effective Temperature for L-band Radiometry.

An accurate value of the effective temperature is critical for soil emissivity retrieval, and hence soil moisture content retrieval, from passive microwave observations. Computation of the effective temperature needs fine profile measurements of soil temperature and soil moisture. The availability of a two year long data set of these surface variables from SMOSREX (Surface Monitoring Of the Soil Reservoir EXperiment) makes it possible to study the effective temperature at the seasonal to interannual scale. This study shows that present parameterizations do not adequately describe the seasonal variations in sensing depth. Therefore, a new parameterization is proposed that is stable at the seasonal to interannual scales while retaining simplicity. Copyright 2006 by the American Geophysical Union

The factor b as a Function of Frequency and Canopy Type at H-Polarization.

International audienceFor anticipated synergistic approaches of the L-band radiometer on the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) mission with higher frequency microwave radiometers such as the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR) (C-band), a reanalysis has been performed on the frequency dependence of the linear relationship between vegetation optical depth (tau(o)) and vege- tation water content (W), given by tau(o) = b(.)W. Insight into the frequency dependence of the b-factor is important for the retrieval of surface moisture from dual- or multifrequency microwave brightness temperature observations from space over vegetation-covered regions using model inversion techniques. The b-values presented in the literature are based on different methods and approaches. Therefore, a direct comparison is not straightforward and requires a critical analysis. This paper confirms that when a large frequency domain is considered, the b-factor is inversely proportional to the power of the wavelength b = c/(gimel)(x), which is in line with theoretical considerations. It was found that different canopy types could be separated into different groups, each with a different combination of values for log (c) and x, which characterize the linearized relationship log(b) = log(c) - x (.) log(gimel). A comparison of ratios b(C)/b(L) (with C and L denoting G and L-band, respectively) also resulted in basically the same groups

On the Measurement of Microwave Vegetation Properties: Some Guidelines for a Protocol.

In support of algorithm development for the multiangle interferometric synthetic L-band radiometer on the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity sensor (SMOS) and for possible synergistic approaches with higher frequency microwave radiometers such as the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (C-band), an inventory has been made of polarization, angular, and frequency dependencies of vegetation optical depth and single-scattering albedo. Both parameters form the basis of a zero-order radiative transfer model, which is often used for inverse modeling of microwave observations from space. The inventory is based on experimental data published in the literature. Underlying models have been reviewed because data comparison is impossible without due consideration of the theoretical background. In general, it can be concluded that both single-scattering albedo and optical depth are angular, polarization, and frequency dependent. This dependence, however, depends on the canopy type and structure. Angular dependence implies that the cosine correction for the slant path through the canopy is no longer valid. Knowledge of these dependencies, therefore, is important for processing multiangle observations such as those anticipated for the planned SMOS and for possible synergistic approaches with C-band observations. Because of the existing variety of methods and procedures found in the literature, some guidelines for a protocol for field experiments are proposed in order to facilitate intercomparison of experimental results and proper incorporation of the parameters in zero-order transfer models

SMOS after five years in operations: from tentative reaserch to operational applications

Kerr, Y. ... et. al.-- 2015 IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium (IGARSS 2015), Remote Sensing: Understanding the Earth for a Safer World, 26-31 July 2015, Milan, ItalyPeer Reviewe

Surface Inhomogeneity and consequences for multi-angle SMOS Observations.

International audienc

Utilisation du satellite NOAA pour la détection des risques d'incendies de forêts

National audienc