Validation of a synthetic aperture radar ocean wave imaging theory by the Shuttle Imaging Radar‐B Experiment over the North Sea

Abstract

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image intensity spectra measured during the Shuttle Imaging Radar‐B (SIR‐B) mission on October 6 and 8, 1984, over the North Sea are compared with ocean wave spectra obtained from a wave prediction model. The relationship between both spectra is discussed in the light of a previously proposed SAR imaging theory of ocean waves. Most of the measured SAR image spectra of October 6 show double peaks, while the hindcast ocean wave spectra have only single peaks. It is shown that the double peaks are generated by the SAR imaging mechanism. They occur only when velocity bunching is sufficiently strong near the range direction and when enough spectral energy density is present in this spectral region. Double peaks are generated when the SAR modulation transfer function (MTF) consisting of the sum of the complex real aperture radar (RAR) MTF and the velocity bunching MTF has a strong minimum near the range direction by which the wave spectrum is cut into two, in general unequal, pieces. The azimuth angle at which this minimum occurs depends strongly on the phase of the RAR MTF. In general, the two peaks are not located symmetrically with respect to the range direction, nor do they have equal heights. We interpret the reasonably good agreement between simulated and measured SAR image spectra during the SIR‐B mission over the North Sea as further experimental evidence in support of the validity of the previously proposed SAR imaging theory of ocean waves.