Potential of microwave imager combined activepassive for the retrieval of sea surface salinity: A new mission concept

Abstract

A 1-D multi-band interferometric radiometer combined with a scatterometer at 1.26GHz, called microwave imager combined active/passive (MICAP) has been proposed to retrieve sea surface salinity, sea surface temperature, wind speed etc. together. Theoretical basis of synergetic retrievals of multiparameters including SSS using MICAP is introduced and a short introduction to MICAP's principle characteristics is given. The performance of this instrument is estimated based on Monte Carlo simulations and a combined active/passive SSS retrieval algorithm. The estimated root mean square errors of SSS, SST and WS are expected to meet the requirement of the Ocean Salinity Satellite of State Oceanic Administration of China.