GPS sounding of ocean surface waves: theoretical assessment

The theoretical analysis of a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal scattering from an ocean surface is presented. The power level of the scattered signal as a function of the time delay, an elevation angle of the GPS satellite, the height of the receiver and surface wind conditions are studied. Conditions are found at which calculated curves show a sensitivity of their parameters to the statistics of slopes, and therefore, to the wind velocity. The developed approach is used to analyze various statistical characteristics of the scattered GPS signals that can potentially be used for prospective remote sensing techniques of land and ocean surface characteristics.