Gome ozone profiles retrieved by neural network techniques: A global validation with lidar measurements

Ozone profiles retrieved from Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME, flying on ERS-2 satellite) spectra from July 1995 to June 2003 by means of 2 independent neural network (NN) schemes have been validated with ozone lidar measurements performed at different stations belonging to the network for the detection of atmospheric composition changes (NDACC). The retrieval and the whole validation have been carried out by using the performances and resources of the European project Enabling Grid for E-sciencE (EGEE) and of a local Grid at the European Space Research Institute of the European Space Agency (ESRIN/ESA). Roughly 1800 collocated profiles have been found, in tropical, mid-latitude and high-latitude regions; for each lidar station the differences between GOME and lidar profiles have been evaluated and the global performance of the proposed NN approaches has been critically discussed. The results indicate the potentialities for obtaining reliable ozone field analysis on global scale, including detailed altitude resolved trend analysis.     

Aerosol extinction coefficient profile retrieval in the oxygen A-band considering multiple scattering atmosphere. Test case: SCIAMACHY nadir simulated measurements

A multiple scattering inversion procedure for the aerosol extinction coefficient profile retrieval and error assessment in the oxygen A-band, for passive remote sensing instruments, has been developed. The procedure has been applied to SCIAMACHY nadir simulated measurements to investigate its effectiveness in the troposphere.The inversion procedure consists of a multiple scattering Forward Model, an inversion method and a complete sensitivity and error assessment tool. The Forward Model is based on LIDORT code; the inversion method, the sensitivity study and the complete error assessment are based on Optimal Estimation. The sensitivity and error analysis has been derived to investigate the profile retrieval errors due to the uncertainty of different aerosol optical properties, molecular and surface parameters.The analysis confirms that the profile retrieval accuracy and vertical resolution are strongly dependent on the oxygen A-band spectral resolution. The moderately high SCIAMACHY spectral resolution (0.4 nm in the oxygen A-band) results in distinguishing a maximum of three aerosol layers in troposphere. The SCIAMACHY tropospheric aerosol profile retrieval is shown to be highly sensitive to aerosol optical properties as phase function and single scattering albedo. The sensitivity study reveals an improvement of information content increasing the solar zenith angle and decreasing the surface albedo. As regards the forward model, negligible errors occur as the number of streams exceeds 6.     

激光雷达测量大气湍流廓线

 介绍了一种利用成像激光光斑测量大气湍流廓线的激光雷达原理。通过对分层大气湍流的光束波面变化的测量,获取各分层大气湍流的相干长度,据此利用平面波近似算法反演湍流强度廓线。通过搭建的大气湍流廓线激光雷达实验系统获得了湍流廓线的实验数据,并且与系留飞艇搭载的温度脉动仪在同时段固定高度进行了对比实验,验证了近似递推算法的可行性。最后对实验中出现的误差进行了讨论。     

SASKTRAN: A spherical geometry radiative transfer code for efficient estimation of limb scattered sunlight

The inversion of satellite-based observations of limb scattered sunlight for the retrieval of constituent species requires an efficient and accurate modelling of the measurement. We present the development of the SASKTRAN radiative transfer model for the prediction of limb scatter measurements at optical wavelengths by method of successive orders along rays traced in a spherical atmosphere. The component of the signal due to the first two scattering events of the solar beam is accounted for directly along rays traced in the three-dimensional geometry. Simplifying assumptions in successive scattering orders provide computational optimizations without severely compromising the accuracy of the solution. SASKTRAN is designed for the analysis of measurements from the OSIRIS instrument and the implementation of the algorithm is efficient such that the code is suitable for the inversion of OSIRIS profiles on desktop computers. SASKTRAN total limb radiance profiles generally compare better with Monte-Carlo reference models over a large range of solar conditions than the approximate spherical and plane-parallel models typically used for inversions.     

Error analysis for rotating active Stokes-Mueller imaging polarimeters

Retrieval of Mueller matrices from intensity measurements is a noise-sensitive process. In addition, the choice of the method used for extracting Mueller matrix elements greatly influences the precision of the final results. Among available procedures, three have been tested and their robustness analyzed by adding Gaussian noise to computer synthesized data and have been verified by comparing experimental data. As expected, the methods based on classical matrix inversion reach their noise reduction limit even if more data are considered. In contrast, the discrete Fourier transform approach features a remarkable stability. The identified reason is that the retrieval process corresponds to filtering with a periodic kernel.     

Sub-millimetre wave radiometry for cloud and rain characterization: From simulation to Earth observation mission concept

Different studies and instrument/mission proposals have demonstrated the potential of the passive sub-millimetre–millimetre wave (SMMW) radiometry to provide remote measurements for the characterization of clouds and rain. At these wavelengths radiation received by a satellite over ice clouds is dominantly scattered by the ice particles. Vertically integrated ice and water contents, hydrometeor properties and profiles can then be retrieved from the radiometric observations with the use of multi-frequency retrieval schemes based on inversion databases simulating realistic brightness temperatures from in situ or modeled cloud microphysics profiles. Current technological SMMW developments offer new observational perspectives for the characterization of the atmosphere.     

Line narrowing effect on the retrieval of HF and HCl vertical profiles from ground-based FTIR measurements

Collision-induced line narrowing, which has been discovered in the 1950s and investigated thoroughly in the laboratory since then, has yet never been taken into account in the spectroscopic remote sensing of the atmosphere. This work investigates the effect of collision-induced line narrowing onto the retrieval of HCl and HF vertical profiles from ground-based solar absorption FTIR measurements made at the NDSC station of the Jungfraujoch (46.5^°N, 8^°E and 3580 m above see level). The retrievals are performed with the Atmosphit software, recently developed at the Université Libre de Bruxelles. It is presented in this paper for the first time and is validated against the widely used SFIT2 software. The impact of the line narrowing onto the retrieval of HCl and HF vertical profiles is examined relying on careful information content and error budget analyses. We report that the effect is relatively weak for HCl but significant for HF. Confirmation of the need to take the line narrowing into account for the retrieval of vertical profiles from ground-based FTIR spectra is given by comparison with data from the HALOE space borne instrument, rather insensitive to this spectroscopic effect.     

Intercomparison of ozone profiles measurements by a differential absorption lidar system and satellite instruments at Buenos Aires, Argentina

A ground-based DIfferential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) system has been implemented at CEILAP (CITEFA-CONICET) laboratory (34°33′S, 58°30′W), located in the Buenos Aires industrial suburbs. The goal is to perform measurements of the stratospheric ozone layer. Systematic measurements of ozone concentration profiles from 18 to 35 km altitude are performed since early 1999. Our measurements are carried out in 5 h in average during the night and in cloudless conditions. The DIAL system allows us to calculate directly the ozone profile from the lidar backscattering radiation since it is a self-calibrating technique. The signal processing takes into account the influence of the temperature profile on the ozone cross section. The temperature data are obtained from the radiosondes measurements performed at Ezeiza International Airport (34°30′S, 58°18′W), 27 km from DIAL station. The evolution of the stratospheric ozone profile is studied for different months. Results are compared with the data obtained by different satellites SAGE II, HALOE and GOME. The comparisons between our DIAL system and the satellite measurements show an agreement better than 20% for 20–35 km altitude range.     

The retrieval of profile and chemical information from ground-based UV-visible spectroscopic measurements

An algorithm has been developed to retrieve altitude information at different diurnal stages for trace gas species by combining direct-sun and zenith-sky UV-visible differential slant column density (DSCD) measurements. DSCDs are derived here using differential optical absorption spectroscopy. Combining the complementary zenith-sky measurements (sensitive to the stratosphere) with direct-sun measurements (sensitive to the troposphere) allows this vertical distinction. Trace gas species such as BrO and NO₂ have vertical profiles with strong diurnal dependence. Information about the diurnal variation is simultaneously retrieved with the altitude distribution of the trace gas. The retrieval is a formal optimal estimation profile retrieval, allowing a complete assessment of information content and errors.     

大气SO2柱总量遥感反演算法比较分析及验证

卫星遥感技术已成为城市污染气体SO₂监测和全球火山活动监测及预警的重要手段. 目前新的PCA (principal component analysis)算法有效减小了反演数据噪声, 并替代之前业务算法BRD (band residual difference)用于边界层SO₂柱总量产品的反演. 然而, 目前对PCA算法反演产品精度的评价和验证研究较少, 缺少与BRD算法产品进行长时间序列的比较以评估算法适用性, 尤其在中国大气污染重点城市区域. 本文利用地基多轴差分吸收光谱仪(MAX-DOAS)观测及多尺度空气质量模式系统(RAMS-CMAQ)大气化学模式模拟等数据, 评估PCA和BRD 反演算法的精度及误差. 另外, 选取洁净海洋地区、中国大气污染重点城市区域和高浓度火山喷发三种情况, 比较分析PCA 与BRD SO₂ 总量的时空格局变化差异及对不同SO₂总量下的适用性, 并对两种算法反演不确定性进行分析讨论. 结果表明, 在中国京津冀、珠江三角洲和长江三角洲区域, PCA SO₂总量反演值低于BRD, BRD反演结果更接近于地基的MAX-DOAS观测值, 冬季BRD和PCA SO₂总量值低于RAMS-CMAQ 模拟结果, 夏季7月和8月BRD SO₂总量值高于RAMS-CMAQ 模拟结果. 在SO₂总量接近于0 值的洁净海洋地区, PCA 算法产品噪声水平低于BRD算法, 但PCA 反演结果整体偏差大于BRD算法. 在高浓度火山喷发情况下, 当SO₂总量大于25 DU时BRD SO₂总量反演值低于PCA, 且随着SO₂ 总量增大, 两种算法反演值差异亦增大. 该研究对于OMI (Ozone Monitering Instrument) SO₂产品的应用具有重要的参考价值, 通过分析不同反演算法的差异及对其不确定性追因, 对于算法改进研究也具有重要的科学意义.     

一种基于改进累积方差百分比的红外高光谱数据降噪方法

降低红外高光谱观测数据中的噪声水平是提高温湿廓线反演精度和反演稳定性的重要环节。采用主成分分析法降噪时,最优主成分个数k的选择一般是根据统计和经验的方法确定。统计的方法大都是根据累积方差百分比法,通过人为设定累积贡献率阈值确定最优主成分个数,使得该方法具有较大的主观性和随意性;经验的方法则需要实时的等效噪声光谱(NESR)数据做标准化处理将非均匀噪声转化为高斯分布,而实时的NESR数据在很多情况下不易获取。针对上述问题,提出了一种基于改进累积方差百分比的主成分降噪方法,通过迭代计算选取不同主成分时重构光谱辐射与模拟光谱辐射的偏差来计算累积贡献率阈值,根据阈值确定最优的主成分个数。该方法解决了确定累积贡献率阈值主观随意性的问题,并且不需要实时的NESR数据做标准化处理。根据物理反演结果分析了数据的标准化对降噪的影响,结果表明,标准化对降噪效果的影响很小,由标准化造成的k值计算误差对降噪效果的影响更大。利用该方法对2011年4个季度中具有代表性的数据做降噪处理,反演的温度廓线均方根误差相比于经验公式法在0.32～3 km高度上提高了约0.1 K,与利用等效噪声光谱标准化后的降噪数据的反演结果精度相当。在无法获取等效噪声光谱数据情况下,该方法可以客观合理地对地基红外高光谱数据进行降噪。     

A radiative transfer model for an idealized and non-scattering atmosphere and its application for ground-based remote sensing

Inversion of tropospheric profiles from ground-based microwave measurements requires a simple and accurate model for calculating the brightness temperatures as received by the radiometer. In the first part, an analytic solution of the radiative transfer equation is derived for an exponentially decaying absorption coefficient and a linear temperature gradient. Based on the obtained analytic expressions, a discretized radiative transfer scheme is developed in the second part. The new scheme incorporates the generic behavior of the atmosphere with the effect that brightness temperatures can be modeled more accurately and with fewer grid points compared to commonly used radiative transfer schemes. The brightness temperature modeling accuracy was improved by a factor of six. The results suggest that the model could be employed for the retrieval of temperature and humidity profiles.     

Constrained regularization methods for ozone profile retrieval from UV/VIS nadir spectrometers

In this paper we present several constrained regularization methods for ozone profile retrieval from UV/VIS nadir sounding instruments such as GOME, SCIAMACHY, OMI and GOME-2. These methods extend the Tikhonov regularization and the iteratively regularized Gauss-Newton method with equality and inequality constraints imposed on the vertical column. It will be shown that this type of information, which is delivered by an independent algorithm like DOAS or GODFIT, significantly improves the accuracy and stability of the profile retrieval.     

Sensitivity of atmospheric-surface parameters retrieval to the spectral stability of channels in thermal IR

Sensitivity of the solutions of forward and inverse problems of the atmospheric-surface parameters retrieval to spectral shifts of channels is considered. The solution of the forward problem is obtained by radiative transfer simulation. The retrieval (solution of the inverse problem) is obtained by linear (optimal interpolation) and non-linear (variational) techniques. It is shown that atmospheric temperature profiles exhibit high sensitivity to the spectral shift, while the humidity profiles are moderately sensitive while the sea surface temperatures retrievals are insensitive. Two approaches are proposed to reduce the effect of channel spectral shift, one is based on channel selection and the other approach is related to proper calibration of the cost function. We performed the numerical simulations using the parameters of AIRS spectrometer to illustrate the sensitivity of forward and inverse problems. The results of the simulation show that the inversion error can be significantly reduced by the proposed techniques.     

Inversion profiles of adiabatic inversion pulses for flowing spins: the effects on labeling efficiency and labeling accuracy in perfusion imaging with pulsed arterial spin-labeling

The inversion profile of adiabatic inversion pulses is essential to the accuracy of perfusion measurement with pulsed arterial spin-labeling (ASL). In this paper, the inversion profiles for flowing spins were investigated using a numerical solution of the modified Bloch equations including a term for moving spins. Inversion profiles for spins flowing at a constant or varying velocity were examined for hyperbolic secant (HS) and frequency-offset corrected inversion (FOCI) pulses. Distortions of the inversion profiles were found for both pulses with spins flowing within physiological velocity range. The effects of the distorted profiles on labeling efficiency and labeling accuracy in the application of pulsed ASL perfusion imaging were analyzed. These effects should be taken into account in ASL techniques, in order to obtain robust and accurate perfusion measurements.     

Qpack, a general tool for instrument simulation and retrieval work

Remote sensing requires a complete observation system, consisting of the instrument, a forward model and a retrieval environment. This paper presents a software tool to complement atmospheric sensors, with focus on passive instruments operating in the mm and sub-mm wavelength regions. The tool is of general character and offers a complete, flexible and fast calculation environment, demonstrated in both preparatory instrument studies and operational inversions. Its features include a rapid approach for modelling of sensor characteristics, several types of data reduction, simple definition of covariance matrices, a large number of retrieval and error quantities, inversion characterisation and random realisation of measurements. The software is freely available for scientific use.     

温度对CrIS热红外卫星资料反演臭氧廓线的影响分析

臭氧是地球大气中一种重要的痕量气体,在光化学反应和气候变化中都扮演着非常重要的角色。高光谱红外卫星可以观测到较高垂直分辨率的大气臭氧信息,但是由于热红外受大气温度影响较大,臭氧反演精度会有所下降。为此详细讨论和分析了温度对臭氧吸收光谱和权重函数的敏感性,以及对臭氧反演精度的影响。首先利用逐线积分辐射传输模型LBLRTM,分别模拟计算了六种不同标准大气模式下,1K的随机温度误差对大气透过率和辐射值的影响,发现1 K温度随机误差和臭氧浓度5%～6%的变化引起的辐射值变化量一致。接着利用CRTM辐射传输模型,针对搭载于美国对地观测卫星Suomi NPP(National Polar-orbiting Partnership)平台上的CrIS(Cross-track Infrared Sounder)红外高光谱观测数据,计算了1K的随机温度误差对大气臭氧权重函数的影响,并计算了由1K温度误差所导致的热红外高光谱资料大气臭氧廓线反演误差,结果显示CrIS对于臭氧的敏感区位于10～100 hPa之间,且1 K的温度误差和6%的臭氧浓度变化引起的权重函数变化量相当。最后以CrIS作为实验数据,在最优估计法框架下,通过特征向量统计法获取臭氧廓线的先验知识,并将大气温度廓线和大气臭氧廓线都作为未知量,进行同步迭代反演。将反演结果和配对的世界臭氧紫外数据中心WOUDC的站点数据进行比较,发现在反演中加入大气温度廓线进行同步迭代后,反演结果有显著提高,尤其在平流层与真值几乎一致,最大相对误差不超过20%,在对流层反演结果相对较差,最大相对误差不超过50%,优于欧洲中期天气预报中心ECMWF(European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasting)臭氧模式数据集ERA-Interim。     

The impact of Martian aerosols on the retrieval of temperature profiles from PFS measurements

Our purpose was a qualitative assessment of the impact of dust and water ice aerosols on the retrieved temperature profiles and the retrieval process itself in the Martian atmosphere. It aims to quantify the related uncertainties in the atmospheric temperature profiles derived from radiance measurements of the Planetary Fourier Spectrometer (PFS), currently operating on the Mars Express orbiter. In this study the effects of aerosol opacities on simulated data and retrieved temperature profiles were also investigated.From the analysis of the model atmosphere including dust and water ice with different size distributions it results that the dust component affects weighting functions and brightness temperatures less than water ice. A similar situation is also observed when different vertical distributions are considered. Unlike dust, water ice with different sizes of crystals evidently influences weighting functions and brightness temperatures. The impact of the considered water ice vertical distributions on brightness temperatures is noticeable only near 840 cm⁻¹.Considering different dust opacities, the largest differences—5 K maximum—between retrieved temperature profiles were observed close to the surface, regardless assumptions on a size distribution or the refractive indices. Contrary to dust, the different sizes of water ice particles assumed during retrieval stronger affected the retrieved temperature profiles than water ice opacities. Moreover, the differences in the retrieved temperature profiles were amplified while wrong optical properties for dust as well as for water ice aerosol were assumed instead of the nominal case. This means that the wrong assumption can induce an additional source of the retrieval error and lead to unreasonable temperature profiles. In the cases of expected heavily loads water ice crystals, their size distribution in the Martian atmosphere should be known from other observations before the retrieval of the temperature profile is attempted.For the analyzed examples of real PFS measurements the impact of different dust vertical distributions on the retrieval of temperature profile is prominent only in layers close to the surface. However, these differences remain comparable with retrieval errors. All influences of dust on weighting functions, brightness temperatures and during retrieval can be neglected if the noise equivalent radiance (NER) of PFS is taken into account.     

Interpretation of measured data and the resolution analysis of the RTP 4-channel pulsed radar

In the present work, the resolution of a 4-channel pulsed radar being built at Rijnhuisen for RTP tokamak is analyzed. The achievable resolution depends mainly on the accuracy of the time-of-flight measurements and the number of sampling frequencies; since the technological solution and the configuration have already been set, the emphasis is laid on the interpretation of the measured data (inversion problem) and minimization of the overall error. For this purpose, a specific neural network — Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) — has been successfully applied.The central density in the range 0.2–0.6×10²⁰ m^–3 was considered, i.e., above the critical density for all four frequencies but not too high to restrict the measurements just to the edge of plasma. For a wide class of density profiles, by balancing the inversion error and the time measurement error, the overall error in estimating the reflection point position between 0.72cm (for the lowest frequency) and 0.52cm (for the highest frequency) root mean square was obtained, assuming an RMS error of 70 ps in the time of flight measurements. It is probably much better than what could have been obtained by Abel transform. Moreover, the mapping by MLP is incomparably faster and should be considered for routine multichannel pulsed radar data processing.The author thanks Dr. J. B. Lister for his drawing his attention to the MLP technique.