对迄今为止国际上公开发表的14 种卫星高度计反演海面风速的模式函数进行了系统的分析和比较。在此基础上提出了一种“折中”模式函数,用于TOPEX 资料海面风速反演效果良好。文中对高度计获取的全球海面风速分布特征进行了分析,最后探讨了改善海面风速模式函数反演精度的途径。

This paper presents a detailed analysis and comparison of14 modelfunctions, published in the open litera ture, forretrievingseasurface wind speedfrom satellite altimeters.Theaccuracyofthese modelfunctionsarefoundto be within 1.5 —2.5m/sin general. Moreover, the modelfunctions appearto converge around 7m/s, correspondingto the peak ofthe wind speed probability density function.An "intermediate"modelfunctionissubsequently proposed and ap plied to derive sea surface wind speedfrom TOPEXaltimeter data, yieldinginterestingresults.The characteristicsof al timeter_derived globalsea surface wind speed are described and potential approachesforimprovingthe accuracy of wind speed modelfunctions are discussed.Theimportance of abnormal atmospheric process, such asrain effect, on altimeter wind speed retrievalis also stressed.