CEOS EO HANDBOOK – INSTRUMENT SUMMARY - AMI/SAR/Wave -
Full Name Active Microwave Instrumentation. Wave mode Status No longer operational
Instrument Agencies ESA Maturity
Instrument Type Imaging microwave radars Geometry Side-looking
Instrument Technology Imaging radar (SAR) Sampling Imaging
Data Access Open Access Data Format
Measurements and Applications Measurements of ocean wave spectra.
Resolution Summary 30 m
[Best Resolution: 30m]
Swath Summary
Accuracy Summary Sea surface wind speed: 3 m/s, Significant wave height: 0.2 m
Waveband Summary Microwave: 5.3 GHz (C-band), VV polarisation
MW (~0.1 cm - ~100 cm)
C-Band (8 - 4 GHz)
Instrument Measurements
Measurements Overview
CategoryParameter
Ocean surface windsWind speed over sea surface (horizontal)
Ocean wave height and spectrumSignificant wave height
Dominant wave period
Dominant wave direction
Thematic Links Global Climate Observing System Essential Climate Variables (GCOS ECVs)
ECVDescriptionProduct(s)ECV Inventory 3.0 Record(s)
Sea State click here click here search ECV Inventory records
Instrument Missions
ERS-1 - European Remote Sensing satellite - 1 (1991 - 2000)
ERS-2 - European Remote Sensing satellite - 2 (1995 - 2011)