CYGNSS Level 1: Full Delay Doppler Maps from Satellite Constellation

NASA's CYGNSS constellation captures Full Delay Doppler Maps (DDMs), two-dimensional maps of Earth's surface signal scattering. These Level 1 records retain full bit resolution and are sampled over a wider delay and Doppler range than standard DDMs. Full DDM data records are typically 10-15 minutes long and are commanded to coincide with spacecraft overpasses of target areas.

Use Cases

• Analyzing Earth surface scattering properties based on delay and Doppler frequency shift maps.
• Studying ocean wind patterns based on signal scattering from the specular point of reflection.
• Developing signal processing algorithms based on the full bit resolution of the lossless DDMs.
• Calibrating satellite instruments based on data from nadir-oriented science and zenith-oriented navigation antennas.

Strengths

• Data retains full bit resolution via a lossless compression algorithm.
• Records are typically 10-15 minutes in duration, providing extended observation windows.
• Data is collected by the NASA CYGNSS satellite constellation, a dedicated Earth science mission.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to commanded overpasses of target areas.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Measured by the Delay-Doppler Mapping Instrument aboard the CYGNSS satellite constellation.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:20:06.156223; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global, focused on target areas of interest commanded for overpass.