Electron density retrieval from truncated Radio Occultation GNSS data

This paper summarizes the definition and validation of two complementary new strategies, to invert incomplete Global Navigation Satellite System Radio-Occultation (RO) ionospheric measurements, such as the ones to be provided by the future EUMETSAT Polar System Second Generation. It will provide RO measurements with impact parameter much below the Low Earth Orbiters' height (817 km): from 500 km down approximately. The first presented method to invert truncated RO data is denoted as Abel-VaryChap Hybrid modeling from topside Incomplete Global Navigation Satellite System RO data, based on simple First Principles, very precise, and well suited for postprocessing. And the second method is denoted as Simple Estimation of Electron density profiles from topside Incomplete RO data, is less precise, but yields very fast estimations, suitable for Near Real-Time determination. Both techniques will be described and assessed with a set of 546 representative COSMIC/FORMOSAT-3 ROs, with relative errors of 7% and 11% for Abel-VaryChap Hybrid modeling from topside Incomplete Global Navigation Satellite System RO data and Simple Estimation of Electron density profiles from topside Incomplete RO data, respectively, with 20 min and 15 s, respectively, of computational time per occultation in our Intel I7 PC.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

GNSS transpolar earth reflectometry exploriNg system (G-TERN): mission concept

The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) Transpolar Earth Reflectometry exploriNg system (G-TERN) was proposed in response to ESA's Earth Explorer 9 revised call by a team of 33 multi-disciplinary scientists. The primary objective of the mission is to quantify at high spatio-temporal resolution crucial characteristics, processes and interactions between sea ice, and other Earth system components in order to advance the understanding and prediction of climate change and its impacts on the environment and society. The objective is articulated through three key questions. 1) In a rapidly changing Arctic regime and under the resilient Antarctic sea ice trend, how will highly dynamic forcings and couplings between the various components of the ocean, atmosphere, and cryosphere modify or influence the processes governing the characteristics of the sea ice cover (ice production, growth, deformation, and melt)? 2) What are the impacts of extreme events and feedback mechanisms on sea ice evolution? 3) What are the effects of the cryosphere behaviors, either rapidly changing or resiliently stable, on the global oceanic and atmospheric circulation and mid-latitude extreme events? To contribute answering these questions, G-TERN will measure key parameters of the sea ice, the oceans, and the atmosphere with frequent and dense coverage over polar areas, becoming a “dynamic mapper”of the ice conditions, the ice production, and the loss in multiple time and space scales, and surrounding environment. Over polar areas, the G-TERN will measure sea ice surface elevation (<;10 cm precision), roughness, and polarimetry aspects at 30-km resolution and 3-days full coverage. G-TERN will implement the interferometric GNSS reflectometry concept, from a single satellite in near-polar orbit with capability for 12 simultaneous observations. Unlike currently orbiting GNSS reflectometry missions, the G-TERN uses the full GNSS available bandwidth to improve its ranging measurements. The lifetime would be 2025-2030 or optimally 2025-2035, covering key stages of the transition toward a nearly ice-free Arctic Ocean in summer. This paper describes the mission objectives, it reviews its measurement techniques, summarizes the suggested implementation, and finally, it estimates the expected performance.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Electron density retrieval from truncated Radio Occultation GNSS data

This paper summarizes the definition and validation of two complementary new strategies, to invert incomplete Global Navigation Satellite System Radio-Occultation (RO) ionospheric measurements, such as the ones to be provided by the future EUMETSAT Polar System Second Generation. It will provide RO measurements with impact parameter much below the Low Earth Orbiters' height (817 km): from 500 km down approximately. The first presented method to invert truncated RO data is denoted as Abel-VaryChap Hybrid modeling from topside Incomplete Global Navigation Satellite System RO data, based on simple First Principles, very precise, and well suited for postprocessing. And the second method is denoted as Simple Estimation of Electron density profiles from topside Incomplete RO data, is less precise, but yields very fast estimations, suitable for Near Real-Time determination. Both techniques will be described and assessed with a set of 546 representative COSMIC/FORMOSAT-3 ROs, with relative errors of 7% and 11% for Abel-VaryChap Hybrid modeling from topside Incomplete Global Navigation Satellite System RO data and Simple Estimation of Electron density profiles from topside Incomplete RO data, respectively, with 20 min and 15 s, respectively, of computational time per occultation in our Intel I7 PC.Peer Reviewe

Tutorial on remote sensing using GNSS bistatic radar of opportunity

In traditional GNSS applications, signals arriving at a receiver's antenna from nearby reflecting surfaces (multipath) interfere with the signals received directly from the satellites which can often result in a reduction of positioning accuracy. About two decades ago researchers produced an idea to use reflected GNSS signals for remote-sensing applications. In this new concept a GNSS transmitter together with a receiver capable of processing GNSS scattered signals of opportunity becomes bistatic radar. By properly processing the scattered signal, this system can be configured either as an altimeter, or a scatterometer allowing us to estimate such characteristics of land or ocean surface as height, roughness, or dielectric properties of the underlying media. From there, using various methods the geophysical parameters can be estimated such as mesoscale ocean topography, ocean surface winds, soil moisture, vegetation, snowpack, and sea ice. Depending on the platform of the GNSS receiver (stationary, airborne, or spaceborne), the capabilities of this technique and specific methods for processing of the reflected signals may vary. In this tutorial, we describe this new remotesensing technique, discuss some of the interesting results that have been already obtained, and give an overview of current and planned spacecraft missions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

GNSS transpolar earth reflectometry exploriNg system (G-TERN): mission concept

The global navigation satellite system (GNSS) Transpolar Earth Reflectometry exploriNg system (G-TERN) was proposed in response to ESA's Earth Explorer 9 revised call by a team of 33 multi-disciplinary scientists. The primary objective of the mission is to quantify at high spatio-temporal resolution crucial characteristics, processes and interactions between sea ice, and other Earth system components in order to advance the understanding and prediction of climate change and its impacts on the environment and society. The objective is articulated through three key questions. 1) In a rapidly changing Arctic regime and under the resilient Antarctic sea ice trend, how will highly dynamic forcings and couplings between the various components of the ocean, atmosphere, and cryosphere modify or influence the processes governing the characteristics of the sea ice cover (ice production, growth, deformation, and melt)? 2) What are the impacts of extreme events and feedback mechanisms on sea ice evolution? 3) What are the effects of the cryosphere behaviors, either rapidly changing or resiliently stable, on the global oceanic and atmospheric circulation and mid-latitude extreme events? To contribute answering these questions, G-TERN will measure key parameters of the sea ice, the oceans, and the atmosphere with frequent and dense coverage over polar areas, becoming a “dynamic mapper”of the ice conditions, the ice production, and the loss in multiple time and space scales, and surrounding environment. Over polar areas, the G-TERN will measure sea ice surface elevation (<;10 cm precision), roughness, and polarimetry aspects at 30-km resolution and 3-days full coverage. G-TERN will implement the interferometric GNSS reflectometry concept, from a single satellite in near-polar orbit with capability for 12 simultaneous observations. Unlike currently orbiting GNSS reflectometry missions, the G-TERN uses the full GNSS available bandwidth to improve its ranging measurements. The lifetime would be 2025-2030 or optimally 2025-2035, covering key stages of the transition toward a nearly ice-free Arctic Ocean in summer. This paper describes the mission objectives, it reviews its measurement techniques, summarizes the suggested implementation, and finally, it estimates the expected performance.Peer Reviewe