OSCAR

Relevant instruments and their contribution

The sorting column describes how the instruments, by design, have the potential to contribute to certain pre-determined capabilities, assuming nominal operation of space and ground segments. For this particular capability, instrument performance is considered to be driven by:

• the main band used for the radar: C-band and/or Ka-band, the Ka-band being more accurate but more sensitive to precipitation.  X-band also is used;
• the auxiliary band to correct for signal rotation induced by the ionosphere;
• the supporting nadir-pointing MW radiometer to correct for the path delay induced by water vapour;
• the along-track SAR capability;
• the capability to observe a somewhat large swath.

 Sorting criteria and colour code:

1. Ku-band radar altimeter with only-nadir viewing, with supporting S- or C-band frequency, flown in a relatively high and stable orbit; OR associated with along-track SAR capability.
2. Ku-band radar altimeter with only-nadir viewing, with supporting S- or C-band frequency.
3. Large-swath radar altimeter operating in Ku-band OR Ka-band OR X- band.
4. Ku-band radar altimeter with only-nadir viewing, flown in a relatively high and stable orbit OR associated with along-track SAR capability.
5. Ku-band OR Ka-band radar altimeter with only-nadir viewing.