scholarly journals An update on the RTTOV fast radiative transfer model (currently at version 12)

Author(s):  
Roger Saunders ◽  
James Hocking ◽  
Emma Turner ◽  
Peter Rayer ◽  
David Rundle ◽  
...  

Abstract. This paper gives an update of the RTTOV (Radiative Transfer for TOVS) fast radiative transfer model which is widely used in the satellite retrieval and data assimilation communities. RTTOV is a fast radiative transfer model for simulating top of atmosphere radiances from passive visible, infrared and microwave downward-viewing satellite radiometers. In addition to the forward model, it also optionally computes the tangent linear, adjoint and Jacobian matrix providing changes in radiances for profile variable perturbations assuming a linear relationship about a given atmospheric state. This makes it a useful tool for developing physical retrievals from satellite radiances, for direct radiance assimilation in NWP models, for simulating future instruments and for training or teaching with a graphical user interface. An overview of the RTTOV model is given highlighting the updates and increased capability of the latest versions and gives some examples of its current performance when compared with more accurate line by line radiative transfer models and a few selected observations. The improvement over the original version of the model released in 1999 is demonstrated.

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2717-2737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Saunders ◽  
James Hocking ◽  
Emma Turner ◽  
Peter Rayer ◽  
David Rundle ◽  
...  

Abstract. This paper gives an update of the RTTOV (Radiative Transfer for TOVS) fast radiative transfer model, which is widely used in the satellite retrieval and data assimilation communities. RTTOV is a fast radiative transfer model for simulating top-of-atmosphere radiances from passive visible, infrared and microwave downward-viewing satellite radiometers. In addition to the forward model, it also optionally computes the tangent linear, adjoint and Jacobian matrix providing changes in radiances for profile variable perturbations assuming a linear relationship about a given atmospheric state. This makes it a useful tool for developing physical retrievals from satellite radiances, for direct radiance assimilation in NWP models, for simulating future instruments, and for training or teaching with a graphical user interface. An overview of the RTTOV model is given, highlighting the updates and increased capability of the latest versions, and it gives some examples of its current performance when compared with more accurate line-by-line radiative transfer models and a few selected observations. The improvement over the original version of the model released in 1999 is demonstrated.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianglong Zhang ◽  
Robert J. D. Spurr ◽  
Jeffrey S. Reid ◽  
Peng Xian ◽  
Peter R. Colarco ◽  
...  

Abstract. Using the Vector LInearized Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer (VLIDORT) code as the main driver for forward model simulations, a first-of-its-kind data assimilation scheme has been developed for assimilating Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aerosol index (AI) measurements into the Naval Aerosol Analysis and Predictive System (NAAPS). This study suggests both RMSE and absolute errors can be significantly reduced in NAAPS analyses with the use of OMI AI data assimilation, when compared to values from NAAPS natural runs. Improvements in model simulations demonstrate the utility of OMI AI data assimilation for improving the accuracy of aerosol model analysis over cloudy regions and bright surfaces. However, the OMI AI data assimilation alone does not out-perform aerosol data assimilation that uses passive-based aerosol optical depth (AOD) products over cloud free skies and dark surfaces. Further, as AI assimilation requires the deployment of a fully-multiple-scatter-aware radiative transfer model in the forward simulations, computational burden is an issue. Nevertheless, the newly-developed modeling system contains the necessary ingredients for assimilation of radiances in the ultra-violet (UV) spectrum, and our study shows the potential of direct radiance assimilation at both UV and visible spectrums, possibly coupled with AOD assimilation, for aerosol applications in the future. Additional data streams can be added, including data from TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI), Ozone Mapping and Profiler Suite (OMPS) and eventually with the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud and ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission.


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 2939
Author(s):  
Chang-Hwan Park ◽  
Thomas Jagdhuber ◽  
Andreas Colliander ◽  
Johan Lee ◽  
Aaron Berg ◽  
...  

An accurate radiative transfer model (RTM) is essential for the retrieval of soil moisture (SM) from microwave remote sensing data, such as the passive microwave measurements from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission. This mission delivers soil moisture products based upon L-band brightness temperature data, via retrieval algorithms for surface and root-zone soil moisture, the latter is retrieved using data assimilation and model support. We found that the RTM based on the tau-omega (τ-ω) model can suffer from significant errors over croplands in the simulation of brightness temperature (Tb) (in average between −9.4K and +12.0K for single channel algorithm (SCA); −8K and +9.7K for dual-channel algorithm (DCA)) if the vegetation scattering albedo (omega) is set constant and temporal variations are not considered. In order to reduce this uncertainty, we propose a time-varying parameterization of omega for the widely established zeroth order radiative transfer τ-ω model. The main assumption is that omega can be expressed by a functional relationship between vegetation optical depth (tau) and the Green Vegetation Fraction (GVF). Assuming allometry in the tau-omega relationship, a power-law function was established and it is supported by correlating measurements of tau and GVF. With this relationship, both tau and omega increase during the development of vegetation. The application of the proposed time-varying vegetation scattering albedo results in a consistent improvement for the unbiased root mean square error of 16% for SCA and 15% for DCA. The reduction for positive and negative biases was 45% and 5% for SCA and 26% and 12% for DCA, respectively. This indicates that vegetation dynamics within croplands are better represented by a time-varying single scattering albedo. Based on these results, we anticipate that the time-varying omega within the tau-omega model will help to mitigate potential estimation errors in the current SMAP soil moisture products (SCA and DCA). Furthermore, the improved tau-omega model might serve as a more accurate observation operator for SMAP data assimilation in weather and climate prediction model.


2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 3854-3864 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Franklin Evans

Abstract The spherical harmonics discrete ordinate method for plane-parallel data assimilation (SHDOMPPDA) model is an unpolarized plane-parallel radiative transfer forward model, with corresponding tangent linear and adjoint models, suitable for use in assimilating cloudy sky visible and infrared radiances. It is derived from the spherical harmonics discrete ordinate method plane-parallel (SHDOMPP, also described in this article) version of the spherical harmonics discrete ordinate method (SHDOM) model for three-dimensional atmospheric radiative transfer. The inputs to the SHDOMPPDA forward model are profiles of pressure, temperature, water vapor, and mass mixing ratio and number concentration for a number of hydrometeor species. Hydrometeor optical properties, including detailed phase functions, are determined from lookup tables as a function of mass mean radius. The SHDOMPP and SHDOMPPDA algorithms and construction of the tangent-linear and adjoint models are described. The SHDOMPPDA forward model is validated against the Discrete Ordinate Radiative Transfer Model (DISORT) by comparing upwelling radiances in multiple directions from 100 cloud model columns at visible and midinfrared wavelengths. For this test in optically thick clouds the computational time for SHDOMPPDA is comparable to DISORT for visible reflection, and roughly 5 times faster for thermal emission. The tangent linear and adjoint models are validated by comparison to finite differencing of the forward model.


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 3459-3465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quanhua Liu ◽  
Fuzhong Weng

The doubling–adding method (DA) is one of the most accurate tools for detailed multiple-scattering calculations. The principle of the method goes back to the nineteenth century in a problem dealing with reflection and transmission by glass plates. Since then the doubling–adding method has been widely used as a reference tool for other radiative transfer models. The method has never been used in operational applications owing to tremendous demand on computational resources from the model. This study derives an analytical expression replacing the most complicated thermal source terms in the doubling–adding method. The new development is called the advanced doubling–adding (ADA) method. Thanks also to the efficiency of matrix and vector manipulations in FORTRAN 90/95, the advanced doubling–adding method is about 60 times faster than the doubling–adding method. The radiance (i.e., forward) computation code of ADA is easily translated into tangent linear and adjoint codes for radiance gradient calculations. The simplicity in forward and Jacobian computation codes is very useful for operational applications and for the consistency between the forward and adjoint calculations in satellite data assimilation. ADA is implemented into the Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) developed at the U.S. Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 148 (7) ◽  
pp. 2971-2995
Author(s):  
Mingjing Tong ◽  
Yanqiu Zhu ◽  
Linjiong Zhou ◽  
Emily Liu ◽  
Ming Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract Motivated by the use of the GFDL microphysics scheme in the Finite-Volume Cubed-Sphere Dynamical Core Global Forecast System (FV3GFS), the all-sky radiance assimilation framework has been expanded to include precipitating hydrometeors. Adding precipitating hydrometeors allows the assimilation of precipitation-affected radiance in addition to cloudy radiance. In this upgraded all-sky framework, the five hydrometeors, including cloud liquid water, cloud ice, rain, snow, and graupel, are the new control variables, replacing the original cloud water control variable. The Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) was interfaced with the newly added precipitating hydrometeors. Subgrid cloud variability was considered by using the average cloud overlap scheme. Multiple scattering radiative transfer was activated in the upgraded framework. Radiance observations from the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A (AMSU-A) and the Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) over ocean were assimilated in all-sky approach. This new constructed all-sky framework shows neutral to positive impact on overall forecast skill. Improvement was found in 500-hPa geopotential height forecast in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Temperature forecast was also improved at 850 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere and the tropics.


2006 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 1403-1413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher W. O’Dell ◽  
Andrew K. Heidinger ◽  
Thomas Greenwald ◽  
Peter Bauer ◽  
Ralf Bennartz

Abstract Radiative transfer models for scattering atmospheres that are accurate yet computationally efficient are required for many applications, such as data assimilation in numerical weather prediction. The successive-order-of-interaction (SOI) model is shown to satisfy these demands under a wide range of conditions. In particular, the model has an accuracy typically much better than 1 K for most microwave and submillimeter cases in precipitating atmospheres. Its speed is found to be comparable to or faster than the commonly used though less accurate Eddington model. An adjoint has been written for the model, and so Jacobian sensitivities can be quickly calculated. In addition to a conventional error assessment, the correlation between errors in different microwave channels is also characterized. These factors combine to make the SOI model an appealing candidate for many demanding applications, including data assimilation and optimal estimation, from microwave to thermal infrared wavelengths.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Cox ◽  
P. M. Rowe ◽  
S. P. Neshyba ◽  
V. P. Walden

Abstract. Retrievals of cloud microphysical and macrophysical properties from ground-based and satellite-based infrared remote sensing instruments are critical for understanding clouds. However, retrieval uncertainties are difficult to quantify without a standard for comparison. This is particularly true over the polar regions where surface-based data for a cloud climatology are sparse, yet clouds represent a major source of uncertainty in weather and climate models. We describe a synthetic high-spectral resolution infrared data set that is designed to facilitate validation and development of cloud retrieval algorithms for surface- and satellite-based remote sensing instruments. Since the data set is calculated using pre-defined cloudy atmospheres, the properties of the cloud and atmospheric state are known a priori. The atmospheric state used for the simulations is drawn from radiosonde measurements made at the North Slope of Alaska (NSA) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) site at Barrow, Alaska (71.325° N, 156.615° W), a location that is generally representative of the western Arctic. The cloud properties for each simulation are selected from statistical distributions derived from past field measurements. Upwelling (at 60 km) and downwelling (at the surface) infrared spectra are simulated for 222 cloudy cases from 50–3000 cm−1 (3.3 to 200 μm) at monochromatic (line-by-line) resolution at a spacing of ~ 0.01 cm−1 using the Line-by-line Radiative Transfer Model (LBLRTM) and the discrete-ordinate-method radiative transfer code (DISORT). These spectra are freely available for interested researchers from the ACADIS data repository (doi:10.5065/D61J97TT).


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