Algorithm for the Sea Surface Wind Imaging Products of Fengyun-3C Meteorological Satellite MWRI

This paper analyzes the sea surface backward thermal radiation data in the China Sea observed by the mmwave channel of FY3 MWRI, explains the reason for which the analysis method combined with multiple mmwave channels is conducive to wind inversion, uses the complex model of the two-scale randomly rough surface with foam scattering layer to calculate the backward heat emission, analyzes the different response characteristics of the thermal radiation characteristics of each channel with the change of the sea surface wind speed, and establishes the wind speed inversion model applying to the microwave radiometer, achieving better results than in previous studies. The sea surface medium-low wind speed precision standard deviation of new model reaches 1.2 m/s (0 - 15 m/s);the inversion strong wind data are consistent with the island fixed buoys data, and the global sea surface wind speed image schematic diagram is given.

Influences of Earth Incidence Angle on FY-3/MWRI SST Retrieval and Evaluation of Reprocessed SST

Sea surface temperature(SST)is a crucial physical parameter in meteorology and oceanography.This study demonstrates that the influence of earth incidence angle(EIA)on the SST retrieved from the microwave radiation imager(MWRI)onboard FengYun-3(FY-3)meteorological satellites should not be ignored.Compared with algorithms that do not consider the influence of EIA in the regression,those that integrate the EIA into the regression can enhance the accuracy of SST retrievals.Subsequently,based on the recalibrated Level 1B data from the FY-3/MWRI,a long-term SST dataset was reprocessed by employing the algorithm that integrates the EIA into the regression.The reprocessed SST data,including FY-3B/MWRI SST during 2010-2019,FY-3C/MWRI SST during 2013-2019,and FY-3D/MWRI SST during 2018-2020,were compared with the in-situ SST and the SST dataset from the Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Ice Analysis(OSTIA).The results show that the FY-3/MWRI SST data were consistent with both the in-situ SST and the OSTIA SST dataset.Compared with the Copernicus Climate Change Service V2.0 SST,the absolute deviation of the reprocessed SST,with a quality flag of 50,was less than 1.5℃.The root mean square errors of the FY-3/MWRI orbital,daily,and monthly SSTs,with a quality flag of 50,were approximately 0.82℃,0.69℃,and 0.37℃,respectively.The primary discrepancies between the FY-3/MWRI SST and the OSTIA SST were found mainly in the regions of the western boundary current and the Antarctic Circumpolar Current.Overall,this reprocessed SST product is recommended for El Niño and La Niña events monitoring.

Precise Orbit Determination for the FY-3C Satellite Using Onboard BDS and GPS Observations from 2013, 2015, and 2017

Using the FengYun-3C(FY-3C)onboard BeiDou Navigation Satellite System(BDS)and Global Positioning System(GPS)data from 2013 to 2017,this study investigates the performance and contribution of BDS to precise orbit determination(POD)for a low-Earth orbit(LEO).The overlap comparison result indicates that code bias correction of BDS can improve the POD accuracy by 12.4%.The multi-year averaged one-dimensional(1D)root mean square(RMS)of the overlapping orbit differences(OODs)for the GPS-only solution is 2.0,1.7,and 1.5 cm,respectively,during the 2013,2015,and 2017 periods.The 1D RMS for the BDS-only solution is 150.9,115.0,and 47.4 cm,respectively,during the 2013,2015,and 2017 periods,which is much worse than the GPS-only solution due to the regional system of BDS and the few BDS channels of the FY-3C receiver.For the BDS and GPS combined solution(also known as the GC combined solution),the averaged 1D RMS is 2.5,2.3,and 1.6 cm,respectively,in 2013,2015,and 2017,while the GC combined POD presents a significant accuracy improvement after the exclusion of geostationary Earth orbit(GEO)satellites.The main reason for the improvement seen after this exclusion is the unfavorable satellite tracking geometry and poor orbit accuracy of GEO satellites.The accuracy of BDS-only and GC combined solutions have gradually improved from 2013 to 2017,thanks to improvements in the accuracy of International GNSS Service(IGS)orbit and clock products in recent years,especially the availability of a high-frequency satellite clock product(30 s sampling interval)since 2015.Moreover,the GC POD(without GEO)was able to achieve slightly better accuracy than the GPS-only POD in 2017,indicating that the fusion of BDS and GPS observations can improve the accuracy of LEO POD.GC combined POD can significantly improve the reliability of LEO POD,simply due to system redundancy.An increased contribution of BDS to LEO POD can be expected with the launch of more BDS satellites and with further improvements in the accuracy of BDS satellite products in the near future.

Chinese GF-1 and GF-3 satellites observed the giant iceberg calving off the Larsen C Ice Shelf

A massive iceberg, named A-68 by National Ice Center （NIC） officially, calved away from the Larsen C Ice Shelf in Antarctica on luly 12, 2017. The iceberg A-68 is about 5 800 km2, weighs more than a trillion tons and it is one of the biggest ever recorded icebergs. Chinese satellites Gaofen-1 （GF-1） and Gaofen-3 （GF-3） data was used to monitoring the propagation of the rift and the iceberg by National Satellite Ocean Application Service （NSOAS）.

LM-3B/E Launched Eutelsat's W3C Satellite

At 16:21 Beijing time on October 7,2011,China successfully launched the W3C commercial telecommunications satellite manufactured by Thales Alenia Space for Eutelsat Communications into geostationary transfer orbit by using an enhanced LM-3B (LM-3B/E) launch vehicle from Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Aerosol Data Assimilation Using Data from Fengyun-3A and MODIS:Application to a Dust Storm over East Asia in 2011

Aerosol optical depth （AOD） is the most basic paxalneter that describes the optical properties of atmospheric aerosols, and it can be used to indicate aerosol content. In this study, we assimilated AOD data from the Fengyun-3A （FY-3A） and MODIS meteorological satellite using the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation three-dimensional variational data assimilation system. Experiments were conducted for a dust storm over East Asia in April 2011. Each 0600 UTC analysis initialized a 24-h Weather Research and Forecasting with Chemistry model forecast. The results generally showed that the assimilation of satellite AOD observational data can significantly improve model aerosol mass prediction skills. The AOD distribution of the analysis field was closer to the observations of the satellite after assimilation of satellite AOD data. In addition, the analysis resulting from the experiment assimilating both FY-3A/MERSI （Medium-resolution Spectral Imager） AOD data and MODIS AOD data had closer agreement with the ground-based values than the individual assimilation of the two datasets for the dust storm over East Asia. These results suggest that the Chinese FY-3A satellite aerosol products can be effectively applied to numerical models and dust weather analysis.

Using multi-satellite microwave remote sensing observations for retrieval of daily surface soil moisture across China

The objective of this study was to retrieve daily composite soil moisture by jointly using brightness temperature observations from multiple operating satellites for near real-time application with better coverage and higher accuracy.Our approach was to first apply the single-channel brightness radiometric algorithm to estimate soil moisture from the respective brightness temperature observations of the SMAP,SMOS,AMSR2,FY3B,and FY3C satellites on the same day and then produce a daily composite dataset by averaging the individual satellite-retrieved soil moisture.We further evaluated our product,the official soil moisture products of the five satellites,and the ensemble mean (i.e.,arithmetic mean) of the five official satellite soil moisture products against ground observations from two networks in Central Tibet and Anhui Province,China.The results show that our product outperforms the individual released products of the five satellites and their ensemble means in the two validation areas.The root mean square error (RMSE ) values of our product were 0.06 and 0.09 m3/m3 in Central Tibet and Anhui Province,respectively.Relative to the ensemble mean of the five satellite products,our product improves the accuracy by 9.1% and 57.7% in Central Tibet and Anhui Province,respectively.This demonstrates that jointly using brightness temperature observations from multiple satellites to retrieve soil moisture not only improves the spatial coverage of daily observations but also produces better daily composite products.

Geophysical Modeling with Satellite Gravity Data: Eigen-6C4 vs. GGM Plus

Satellite data sets are an asset in global gravity collections;their characteristics vary in coverage and resolution. New collections appear often, and the user must adapt fast to their characteristics. Their use in geophysical modeling is rapidly increasing;with this in mind we compare two of the most densely populated sets: EIGEN-6C4 and GGMplus. We characterize them in terms of their frequency histograms, Free Air anomalies, power spectrum, and simple Bouguer anomalies. The nature of the digital elevation models used for data reduction is discussed. We conclude that the GGMplus data set offers a better spatial resolution. To evaluate their effect in geophysical modelling, we chose an inland region with a prominent volcanic structure in which we perform 3D inversions of the respective Bouguer anomalies, obtaining density variations that in principle can be associated with the geologic materials and the structure of the volcanic edifice. Model results are analyzed along sections of the inverted data;we conclude that the GGMplus data set offers higher resolution in the cases analyzed.

Spatiotemporal Variations of Microwave Land Surface Emissivity(MLSE)over China Derived from Four-Year Recalibrated Fengyun 3B MWRI Data

Microwave Land Surface Emissivity(MLSE)over China under both clear and cloudy sky conditions was retrieved using measurements of recalibrated microwave brightness temperatures(Tbs)from Fengyun-3B Microwave Radiation Imager(FY-3B MWRI),combined with cloud properties derived from Himawari-8 Advanced Himawari Imager(AHI)observations.The contributions from cloud particles and atmospheric gases to the upwelling Tbs at the top of atmosphere were calculated and removed in radiative transfer.The MLSEs at horizontal polarizations at 10.65,18.7,and 36.5 GHz during 7 July 2015 to 30 June 2019 over China showed high values in the southeast vegetated area and low values in the northwest barren,or sparsely vegetated,area.The maximum values were found in the belt area of the Qinling-Taihang Mountains and the eastern edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,which is highly consistent with MLSEs derived from AMSR-E.It demonstrates that the measurements of FY-3B MWRI Tbs,including its calibration and validation,are reliable,and the retrieval algorithm developed in this study works well.Seasonal variations of MLSE in China are mainly driven by the combined effects of vegetation,rainfall,and snow cover.In tropical and southern forest regions,the seasonal variation of MLSE is small due to the enhancement from vegetation and the suppression from rainfall.In the boreal area,snow causes a significant decrease of MLSE at 36.5 GHz in winter.Meanwhile,the MLSE at lower frequencies experiences less suppression.In the desert region in Xinjiang,increases of MLSEs at all frequencies are observed with increasing snow cover.

Precipitation Detection and Retrieving Based on FY-3C MWHTS

The paper develops a passive sub-millimeter precipitation retrievals algorithm for Microwave Humidity and Temperature Sounder(MWHTS)onboard the Chinese Feng Yun 3C(FY-3C)satellite.The retrieval algorithm employs a number of neural network estimators trained and evaluated using the validated global reference physical model NCEP/WRF/ARTS,and works for seawater.NCEP data per 6 hours are downloaded to run the Weather Research and Forecast model WRF,and derive the typical precipitation data from the whole world.The Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator ARTS is feasible for performing simulations of atmospheric radiative transfer.Rain detection algorithm has been used to generate level 2 products.Retrievals are reliable for surface precipitation rate higher than 0.1 mm/h at 15km resolution,which is in good agreement with those retrieved using the Precipitation retrieval algorithm version 1(ATMP-1)for Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder(ATMS)aboard Suomi NPP satellite.

Capability of Fengyun-3D Satellite in Earth System Observation

From the viewpoint of earth system science,this paper discusses the observation capability of the second-generation of Chinese polar-orbiting,sun-synchronous operational meteorological satellite observation systems,Fengyun-3(FY-3),based on the function and performance test results from the FY-3 D satellite observation system in orbit.The FY-3 series of satellites have numerous remote sensing instruments and a wide range of imaging and sounding electromagnetic spectrometers onboard.These instruments can obtain reflectivity data for land surface,soil,vegetation,water body,snow cover,ocean color,and sea ice on earth’s surface over a wide spectral range,as well as information on the absorption and scattering radiative transfer of molecules and particles(clouds and aerosols)in earth’s atmosphere.All of these data can be used to retrieve physical and chemical information about the land,ocean,and atmosphere of the earth system.Comprehensive observation of the earth system by the FY-3 meteorological satellites is preliminarily realized.

BDS卫星星内多径及其对宽巷FCB解算的影响分析

针对BDS卫星的伪距星内多径(SIMP)问题,提出和强调了在进行SIMP建模时应该采用天底角而非高度角作为自变量,这样获得的模型才能用于不同高程的接收机。收集全球分布的iGMAS和MGEX监测站数据,以天底角为自变量构建了北斗IGSO和MEO两类卫星B1、B2和B3频点的SIMP分段线性模型。利用FY3C星载北斗数据对北斗GEO、IGSO和MEO的SIMP作进一步分析。结果表明,当天底角小于7°时,GEO和IGSO卫星的SIMP非常接近,对B2频点尤其明显。这也许预示着可以将地面数据获得的IGSO卫星的SIMP模型用于GEO卫星。同时还发现在天底角小于12°(MEO)和7°(IGSO)时,所得到的SIMP估值与地面数据获得的模型有非常好的一致性。在此基础上,采用MGEX全球监测网数据进行宽巷小数周偏差(FCB)解算试验,结果表明,经过SIMP改正后,各颗卫星的星端宽巷FCB序列的重复性都有显著提高,改进幅度都超过了60%。具体的,IGSO和MEO的星端FCB重复精度小于0.05周;采用IGSO卫星的SIMP模型对GEO卫星进行改正后,C01和C02星的FCB重复精度分别达到0.023和0.068周。

高分三号卫星C频段多极化有源相控阵天线系统设计

高分三号(GF-3)卫星SAR载荷天线是中国首副成功在轨应用的C频段多极化天线,其采用有源相控阵体制,多极化共孔径设计,波束控制灵活,能够实现12种常规工作模式及多种扩展模式。GF-3卫星C频段多极化有源相控阵天线(简称SAR天线)质量占到卫星总质量的46%,工作时最大功耗占卫星能源功耗的60%以上,而其发射功率、带宽特性、方向图等都对成像性能有着至关重要的影响。文章针对GF-3卫星SAR天线C频段、多极化、大带宽、高功耗、高精度、大尺寸、轻量化等特点,介绍了天线系统设计的内容及主要性能结果,可为中国后续SAR卫星有源相控阵天线的研制提供参考。

A COMPARISON OF THE RETRIEVAL OF ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE PROFILES USING OBSERVATIONS OF THE 60 GHZ AND 118.75 GHZ ABSORPTION LINES

The Microwave Temperature Sounder-Ⅱ(MWTS-Ⅱ) and Microwave Humidity and Temperature Sounder(MWHTS) onboard the Fengyun-3 C(FY-3 C) satellite can be used to detect atmospheric temperature profiles. The MWTS-II has 13 temperature sounding channels around the 60 GHz oxygen absorption band and the MWHTS has 8 temperature sounding channels around the 118.75 GHz oxygen absorption line. The data quality of the observed brightness temperatures can be evaluated using atmospheric temperature retrievals from the MWTS-Ⅱ and MWHTS observations. Here, the bias characteristics and corrections of the observed brightness temperatures are described. The information contents of observations are calculated, and the retrieved atmospheric temperature profiles are compared using a neural network(NN) retrieval algorithm and a one-dimensional variational inversion(1 D-var) retrieval algorithm. The retrieval results from the NN algorithm show that the accuracy of the MWTS-Ⅱ retrieval is higher than that of the MWHTS retrieval, which is consistent with the results of the radiometric information analysis. The retrieval results from the 1 D-var algorithm show that the accuracy of MWTS-Ⅱ retrieval is similar to that of the MWHTS retrieval at the levels from 850-1,000 h Pa, is lower than that of the MWHTS retrieval at the levels from 650-850 h Pa and 125-300 h Pa, and is higher than that of MWHTS at the other levels. A comparison of the retrieved atmospheric temperature using these satellite observations provides a reference value for assessing the accuracy of atmospheric temperature detection at the 60 GHz oxygen band and 118.75 GHz oxygen line. In addition, based on the comparison of the retrieval results, an optimized combination method is proposed using a branch and bound algorithm for the NN retrieval algorithm, which combines the observations from both the MWTS-Ⅱand MWHTS instruments to retrieve the atmospheric temperature profiles. The results show that the optimal combination can further improve the accuracy of MWTS-Ⅱ retrieval and enhance the detection accuracy of atmospheric temperatures near the surface.

Research and Implementation of Beidou-3 Satellite Multi-Band Signal Acquisition and Tracking Method

A new acquisition and tracking method is proposed for signal processing under the new signal system structure of Beidou-3 navigation satellite system(BDS-3). By starting with the analysis of the characteristics and signal structure of the new signal, the local replica of the ranging code and the study of the characteristics of the ranging code are completed, which proves that the method in this paper can be used in the subsequent acquisition and tracking process. The fast Fourier transformation(FFT) search based on longer coherence time and the adaptive phase-frequency switching carrier tracking loop are proposed for signals in different modulation modes. The actual signal of Beidou-3 satellite is sampled by local experiment, and the acquisition and tracking of the Beidou-3 satellite multi-band signal is finally completed. The tracking results verify the feasibility of the proposed acquisition and tracking method.

Liquid Water Path Retrieval Using the Lowest Frequency Channels of Fengyun-3C Microwave Radiation Imager(MWRI)

The Microwave Radiation Imager （MWRI） on board Chinese Fengyun-3 （FY-3） satellites provides measurements at 10.65, 18.7, 23.8, 36.5, and 89.0 GHz with both horizontal and vertical polarization channels. Brightness temperature measurements of those channels with their central frequencies higher than 19 GHz from satellite-based microwave imager radiometers had traditionally been used to retrieve cloud liquid water path （LWP） over ocean. The results show that the lowest frequency channels are the most appropriate for retrieving LWP when its values are large. Therefore, a modified LWP retrieval algorithm is developed for retrieving LWP of different magnitudes involving not only the high frequency channels but also the lowest frequency channels of FY-3 MWRI. The theoretical estimates of the LWP retrieval errors are between 0.11 and 0.06 mm for 10.65- and 18.7-GHz channels and between 0.02 and 0.04 mm for 36.5- and 89.0-GHz channels. It is also shown that the brightness temperature observations at 10.65 GHz can be utilized to better retrieve the LWP greater than 3 mm in the eyewall region of Super Typhoon Neoguri （2014）. The spiral structure of clouds within and around Typhoon Neoguri can be well captured by combining the LWP retrievals from different frequency channels.

北斗三号短报文低轨卫星测控应用研究

针对低轨卫星星座测控管理的全球覆盖需求和测控链路资源需求,分析北斗三号全球导航系统短报文用于低轨卫星测控的基本能力,描述应用北斗三号全球短报文进行卫星测控的系统组成、工作流程及各部分功能,识别用于卫星测控管理的相关关键技术,并提出关键技术的初步解决途径,给出测控应用模式建议。

SVOM数据档案库软件原型系统的设计与实现

作为中法天文卫星(Space multi-band Variable Object Monitor,SVOM)中方科学中心的重要组成部分,中法天文卫星数据档案库承担了中方科学数据产品本地存储和管理的任务,提供统一的数据产品管理平台,实现中法天文卫星科学数据产品的归档、检索、检出、维护与管理等功能。作为中法天文卫星科学中心预研的一部分,对中法天文卫星数据档案库原型系统进行了需求分析、系统设计,实现能够运行的原型系统,以演示中法天文卫星数据档案库的基本功能和工作流程,验证设计方案的可行性。档案库原型系统具有开放性和低耦合的特点,能够适应中法天文卫星中方数据产品结构的不断变化,在项目早期即可投入试用并不断完善,满足中法天文卫星的任务需求。

高分三号卫星测控分系统设计与验证

高分三号(GF-3)卫星具有大角度快速机动及复杂电磁环境的特点,测控分系统常规设计难以满足卫星需求。文章提出射频设备的抗干扰设计及验证方法,介绍了GF-3测控分系统的设计、技术特点,并给出了地面试验及在轨运行验证结果,实现了测控分系统高灵敏度接收与大功率合成孔径雷达(SAR)之间复杂环境的电磁兼容性,同时首次采用高精度实时快速导航定位算法和自主健康管理方法,实现了导航子系统快速连续定位。

Evaluation of FY-3/VIRR Sea Surface Temperature Data for Climate Applications

We evaluated the sea surface temperature(SST)products derived from the visible infrared radiometer on board the Fengyun-3 satellites(FY-3/VIRR)during 2016-2018 from the perspective of climate applications.The data had previously been reprocessed by the National Satellite Meteorological Center of China Meteorological Administration based on an updated SST retrieval algorithm.The overall consistency between the FY-3/VIRR SST data and the optimum interpolation SST version 2.1(OIv2.1)was better for monthly means than for pentad means,and showed a clear dependence on the season and location.There was better consistency in winter than in summer,and in the tropical central-eastern Pacific than in the western Pacific warm pool,tropical North Indian Ocean,and tropical Atlantic Ocean.The monthly deviation of the global average SST anomaly was-0.03±0.07℃ and the average root-meansquare errors(RMSEs)presented clear seasonal fluctuations with a maximum of approximately 0.5℃ in summer.The poor consistency of the FY-3/VIRR SST in summer may be partially attributed to the bias of the OIv2.1 data in global oceans(especially the Indian Ocean)as a result of the spatially heterogeneous in situ measurements from ships,buoys,and Argo floats.Convective activities and clouds in the tropics may also influence the accuracy of the FY-3/VIRR SST retrievals.The Nino SST indices based on both FY-3/VIRR and OIv2.1 SST data displayed a generally similar evolution,including the start and end of El Nino and La Nina events and their amplitudes,although the deviations were slightly larger when the Pacific SST anomaly was in the neutral state of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation(ENSO).The deviations varied greatly with season in the tropical Indian and Atlantic oceans,suggesting the need to perform further analyses and validation of the FY-3/VIRR SST products in these two basins.