First Ocean Wave Retrieval from HISEA-1 SAR Imagery through an Improved Semi-Automatic Empirical Model

The HISEA-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) minisatellite has been orbiting for over two years since its launch in 2020, acquiring numerous high-resolution images independent of weather and daylight. A typical and important application is the observation of ocean waves, essential ocean dynamical phen...

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Main Authors: Haiyang Sun, Xupu Geng, Lingsheng Meng, Xiao-Hai Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-07-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/14/3486
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author Haiyang Sun
Xupu Geng
Lingsheng Meng
Xiao-Hai Yan
author_facet Haiyang Sun
Xupu Geng
Lingsheng Meng
Xiao-Hai Yan
author_sort Haiyang Sun
collection DOAJ
description The HISEA-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) minisatellite has been orbiting for over two years since its launch in 2020, acquiring numerous high-resolution images independent of weather and daylight. A typical and important application is the observation of ocean waves, essential ocean dynamical phenomena. Here, we proposed a new semi-automatic empirical method to retrieve ocean wave parameters from HISEA-1 images. We first applied some automated processing methods to remove non-wave information and artifacts, which largely improves the efficiency and robustness. Then, we developed an empirical model to retrieve significant wave height (SWH) by considering the dependence of SWH on azimuth cut-off, wind speed, and information extracted from the cross-spectrum. Comparisons with the Wavewatch III (WW3) data show that the performance of the proposed model significantly improved compared to the previous semi-empirical model; the root mean square error, correlation, and scattering index are 0.45 m (0.63 m), 0.87 (0.75), and 18% (26%), respectively. Our results are also consistent well with those from the altimeter measurements. Further case studies show that this new ocean wave model is reliable even under typhoon conditions. This work first provides accurate ocean-wave products from HISEA-1 SAR data and demonstrates its ability to perform high-resolution observation of coasts and oceans.
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spelling doaj.art-54df448aa9494b3ea22558abbd04d46d2023-11-18T21:11:27ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922023-07-011514348610.3390/rs15143486First Ocean Wave Retrieval from HISEA-1 SAR Imagery through an Improved Semi-Automatic Empirical ModelHaiyang Sun0Xupu Geng1Lingsheng Meng2Xiao-Hai Yan3State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaCollege of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, ChinaJoint Center for Remote Sensing, University of Delaware-Xiamen University, Xiamen 361002, ChinaThe HISEA-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) minisatellite has been orbiting for over two years since its launch in 2020, acquiring numerous high-resolution images independent of weather and daylight. A typical and important application is the observation of ocean waves, essential ocean dynamical phenomena. Here, we proposed a new semi-automatic empirical method to retrieve ocean wave parameters from HISEA-1 images. We first applied some automated processing methods to remove non-wave information and artifacts, which largely improves the efficiency and robustness. Then, we developed an empirical model to retrieve significant wave height (SWH) by considering the dependence of SWH on azimuth cut-off, wind speed, and information extracted from the cross-spectrum. Comparisons with the Wavewatch III (WW3) data show that the performance of the proposed model significantly improved compared to the previous semi-empirical model; the root mean square error, correlation, and scattering index are 0.45 m (0.63 m), 0.87 (0.75), and 18% (26%), respectively. Our results are also consistent well with those from the altimeter measurements. Further case studies show that this new ocean wave model is reliable even under typhoon conditions. This work first provides accurate ocean-wave products from HISEA-1 SAR data and demonstrates its ability to perform high-resolution observation of coasts and oceans.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/14/3486HISEA-1synthetic aperture radar (SAR)significant wave height (SWH)ocean waves
spellingShingle Haiyang Sun
Xupu Geng
Lingsheng Meng
Xiao-Hai Yan
First Ocean Wave Retrieval from HISEA-1 SAR Imagery through an Improved Semi-Automatic Empirical Model
Remote Sensing
HISEA-1
synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
significant wave height (SWH)
ocean waves
title First Ocean Wave Retrieval from HISEA-1 SAR Imagery through an Improved Semi-Automatic Empirical Model
title_full First Ocean Wave Retrieval from HISEA-1 SAR Imagery through an Improved Semi-Automatic Empirical Model
title_fullStr First Ocean Wave Retrieval from HISEA-1 SAR Imagery through an Improved Semi-Automatic Empirical Model
title_full_unstemmed First Ocean Wave Retrieval from HISEA-1 SAR Imagery through an Improved Semi-Automatic Empirical Model
title_short First Ocean Wave Retrieval from HISEA-1 SAR Imagery through an Improved Semi-Automatic Empirical Model
title_sort first ocean wave retrieval from hisea 1 sar imagery through an improved semi automatic empirical model
topic HISEA-1
synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
significant wave height (SWH)
ocean waves
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/15/14/3486
work_keys_str_mv AT haiyangsun firstoceanwaveretrievalfromhisea1sarimagerythroughanimprovedsemiautomaticempiricalmodel
AT xupugeng firstoceanwaveretrievalfromhisea1sarimagerythroughanimprovedsemiautomaticempiricalmodel
AT lingshengmeng firstoceanwaveretrievalfromhisea1sarimagerythroughanimprovedsemiautomaticempiricalmodel
AT xiaohaiyan firstoceanwaveretrievalfromhisea1sarimagerythroughanimprovedsemiautomaticempiricalmodel