Date of Award:
5-2008
Document Type:
Thesis
Degree Name:
Master of Science (MS)
Department:
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Committee Chair(s)
Doran Baker
Committee
Doran Baker
Committee
Jacob Gunther
Committee
Kay Baker
Abstract
To understand and model the energetics of the Sun-Earth connection, measurements of specific atmospheric molecules are beneficial. The objective is to formulate an algorithm to derive temporally varying atmospheric water vapor concentrations as functions of altitude, latitude, and longitude from solar irradiance absorption measurements. The Visidyne SAM (Sun and Aureole Measurement) instrument, which studies the size and distribution of cloud particles, was used to obtain the experimental data. By introducing a spectrometer to the SAM instrument, column water vapor is produced as part of the data product. A new model optimized algorithm is developed and tested versus existing algorithms. Through a least-squares analysis, the new algorithm showed an improvement of a factor of 23 over the industry standard. A test was also conducted to determine which water absorption bandpass produces the smallest error. Through these tests a model optimized algorithm has been produced.
Checksum
10d7edc2671bbf885faa0406b102036a
Recommended Citation
Williams, Joshua Bruce, "Algorithm Development for Column Water Vapor Retrieval Using the Sun and Aureole Measurement (SAM) Sensor" (2008). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 59.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/59
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