Abstract
The validation of significant wave height (SWH) data measured by the Sentinel-3A/3B SAR Altimeter (SRAL) is essential for the application of the data in ocean wave monitoring, forecasting and wave climate studies. Sentinel-3A/3B SWH data are validated by comparisons with U. S. National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoys, using a spatial scale of 25 km and a temporal scale of 30 min, and with Jason-3 data at their crossovers, using a time difference of less than 30 min. The comparisons with NDBC buoy data show that the root-mean-square error (RMSE) of Sentinel-3A SWH is 0.30 m, and that of Sentinel-3B is no more than 0.31 m. The pseudo-Low-Resolution Mode (PLRM) SWH is slightly better than that of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) mode. The statistical analysis of Sentinel-3A/3B SWH in the bin of 0.5 m wave height shows that the accuracy of Sentinel-3A/3B SWH data decreases with increasing wave height. The analysis of the monthly biases and RMSEs of Sentinel-3A SWH shows that Sentinel-3A SWH are stable and have a slight upward trend with time. The comparisons with Jason-3 data show that SWH of Sentinel-3A and Jason-3 are consistent in the global ocean. Finally, the piecewise calibration functions are given for the calibration of Sentinel-3A/3B SWH. The results of the study show that Sentinel-3A/3B SWH data have high accuracy and remain stable.
Highlights
Ocean waves are disturbances in the ocean that transmit energy from one place to another.Ocean waves are initiated where wind and water interact, and travel across the sea until they collapse on the shore
The comparisons with Jason-3 data show that significant wave height (SWH) of Sentinel-3A and Jason-3 are consistent in the global ocean
Because in situ observations of ocean waves are sparse in space and time and expensive, global ocean wave data are generally derived from satellite observations or ocean wave modelling
Summary
Ocean waves are initiated where wind and water interact, and travel across the sea until they collapse on the shore. Ocean waves can travel thousands of miles before reaching land. Long-term variations in ocean waves are related to global climate change. Ocean wave data over long-term periods are necessary for estimating the wave climate and sea state [1,2,3]. Satellite altimetry has enabled a global observation of ocean wave. After the emergence of the satellite altimeter, the global monitoring of ocean wave became a reality. SWH data from many different satellites have become available, including SEASAT (1978), GEOSAT (1985–1990), TOPEX/POSEIDON (1992–2006), ERS-1 (1991–2000), ERS-2 (1995–2011), ENVISAT (2002–2012), Cryosat-2 (2010–present), SARAL/AltiKa (2013–present), Jason-1 (2002–2013), Jason-2 (2008–present), Jason-3 (2016–present), HY-2A (2011–present), Sentinel-3A (2016–present) and Sentinel-3B (2018–present)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
