Assessment of ocean wind retrieval from dual-polarized x-band SAR data

Assessment of wind speed retrieval from dual-polarized X-band SAR data is performed using geophysical model functions for the normalized radar cross-section (NRCS) and the Doppler frequency. It is shown that the retrieved wind speed accuracy is similar for VV (standard deviation of 2.33 m/s) and HH (standard deviation of 2.32 m/s) polarizations. The geophysical Doppler model is used to assess the potential of using the polarization residual (VV-HH) Doppler frequency (PRDF) estimated from dual-polarized SAR data, in future wind speed retrieval algorithms. A correlation of 0.79 is achieved between the in situ radial wind speed component and the estimated PRDF.