SMOS level 3 soil moisture database
Résumé
SMOS has been delivering data since January 2010. Three ground segments have been developed among which the CATDS (Centre Aval de Traitements des Données SMOS) by the French space agency CNES [2]. This ground segment is providing the users with level 3 data that are a bit different from ESA level 1 and level 2 as these products : i) are temporally aggregated as daily, during 3-day and 10-day time window and monthly averages ii) are projected on the EASE Grid version 2 iii) using the netcdf format iv) are derived using a modified algorithm taking advantage of 3 consecutive SMOS overpasses [4] v) brightness temperatures are averaged by bin of incidence angles in the Earth reference frame, i.e. H and V polarizations. Since the beginning of the mission the algorithm to derive the SMOS data has evolved due to improvements of the models and also due to better quality SMOS brightness temperatures. A reprocessing campaign has been done in fall 2015 to deliver the entire time series (2010-spring 2015) using the latest versions of the processors and with a more accurate brightness temperatures (improved bias reconstruction). The data are available on line (http://www.catds.fr/sipad/startPage.do) through the SIPAD (Système d’Information, de Préservation et d’Accès aux Données) which is a user-friendly dissemination service that allows the users to download their own products according to their criteria (as area of interest, period of time, subset of fields...). The aim of this communication is then to present the last updates and version of the products delivered by the CATDS that is the Version 3. Derived soil moisture values are validated by comparing to SMOS level 2 and in situ measurements acquired at various climate conditions.