For the EPS-SG SCA instrument, the successor of MetOp ASCAT, the inclusion of a VH polarisation channel on the mid-beam antenna is currently being considered. The two main goals of the proposed study are (i) to evaluate the potential use of the cross-polarisation channel for improving soil moisture retrievals based on VV-polarised data only, and (ii) to propose a preliminary algorithm that exploits this potential. These goals will be achieved by undertaking three major tasks:
Task 1. An initial conceptual assessment through a comprehensive literature review
Task 2. An assessment based on real data analysis, using existing instruments with properties close to those of SCA (C-Band, VV/VH polarisation, multi-incidence-angle observations) to characterise the varying surface parameter contributions to the backscatter signal and to assess sensitivity, accuracy, and spatio-temporal variability aspects
Task 3. A preliminary algorithm formulation based on the findings of (1) and (2)
