On-Orbit Implementation and Characterization of CYGNSS Level 4 Tropical Cyclone Science Data Products

The Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) is a satellite constellation that was launched in December 2016 which uses GNSS signals reflected from the ocean surface to measure wind speeds. An algorithm has been developed which uses CYGNSS data to determine surface wind speed structure and intensity in tropical cyclones. The algorithm was developed prior to launch, which means it has only been tested with simulated CYGNSS data. The algorithm was optimized with respect to simulated data, so it is likely that corrections will need to be made to various parameters or implementation details in order to optimize its performance with actual data. This presentation will cover specifics of the algorithm implementation and its validation with flight data. Unanswered questions to be addressed in the presentation include: Should scaling factors be varied and in what circumstances? How does uncertainty in the location of the tropical storm center impact performance? Does power series parametric scaling eliminate bias with real data as it did with simulated data?