TABLE 1.
CloudSat and GPM instrument and orbit characteristics.
| DPR |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPR | KuPR | KaPR | GMI | |
| Frequency | 94 GHz | 13.6 GHz | 35.5 GHz | From 10.65 to 183.31 GHz (13 channelsa) |
| Footprint size | ~1.7 km X 1.4 km | 5.05–5.60 km of diameter | From ~6 to ~26 km | |
| Near surface bin | ~720–1200m | ~750–2500m | ~ 750–2500 m | — |
| Sensitivity | ~ −29 dBZ | ~12–13 dBZ | ~12–13 dBZ (HS), ~17–18 dBZ (MS) |
Noise equivalent delta temperatures range from 0.3–0.8 K |
| Scanning mode | Nadir pointing | Cross track | Cross track | Conical |
| Range gate interval | 240 mb | 250 m | 250 m (MS), 500 m (HS) | — |
| Swath width | 1.4 km | 245 km | 125 km | 885 km |
| Orbital altitude | 705 km | 407 km | 407 km | 407 km |
| Orbit | Polar orbit | Non-sun-synchronous at 65° inclination | Non-sun-synchronous at 65° inclination | Non-sun-synchronous at 65° inclination |
a
The GMI channels in GHz are 10.65 V and H, 18.7 V and H, 21.8 V, 36.5 V and H, 89 V and H, 166 V and H, 183.31 ± 3 V, and 183.31 ± 7 V, where V (H) means vertical (horizontal) polarization.
b
Actual range gate spacing is approximately 480 m but measurements are oversampled to provide data at 240 m spacing.