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 spectral band (MW or optical)
• the number of spectral bands in the optical ranges (NIR, MWIR/TIR, FIR).

RATING CRITERIA:

1

• High-resolution MW radiometer around 23 GHz
• MW radiometer around 23 GHz and in the 183 GHz band
• IR spectrometer in the TIR around 6 and 11 mm, and in FIR

2

• MW radiometer in the 183 GHz band
• IR spectrometer in the TIR around 6 and 11 mm,
• TIR radiometer with channels around 6 mm and in the split window 10-13 mm

3

• MW radiometer around 23 GHz
• Radiometer with channels in two of the bands ~940 nm or ~6 mm or split 10-13 mm or ~18 mm

4

• MW radiometer around 23 GHz, non-scanning
• Spectrometer or radiometer with channels in one of the bands ~6 mm or split 10-13 mm or ~18 mm

5

• SW spectrometer or hyperspectral imager or radiometer in the band 900-1000 nm