OSCAR

Each instrument is assigned with a 5-step rating, evaluated as a blend of several elements such as the uncertainty, the vertical resolution, and the frequency and spatial resolution of the retrieved measurement in comparison with the space-time variability of the geophysical parameter.  For this particular Variable, the rating is driven by:

• the capability to observe atmospheric water by passive (MW) or active (radar) techniques;
• the exploited MW bands (windows or sounding).

RATING CRITERIA:

1

• Precipitation radar in Ku- and Ka- band
• MW radiometer with both 54 and 183 GHz, in GEO

2

• Ku-band precipitation radar
• High-resolution MW radiometer with both window channels including 90 GHz, and sounding channels, in LEO

3

• MW radiometer with both window channels including 90 GHz, and 54 and/or 183 GHz channels, in LEO
• TIR radiometer, in GEO

4

• MW radiometer with only window channels, including 90 GHz, in LEO
• High-resolution MW radiometer with only window channels, missing 90 GHz, in LEO
• MW sounder in the bands 183 and (54 or 118) GHz, in LEO

5

• MW radiometer with only window channels missing 90 GHz, in LEO
• MW sounder with either 54 or 183 GHz, in LEO
• W-band cloud radar
• Radio occultation sounder splitting polarisation