CYGNSS: Full Delay Doppler Maps for Earth Surface Signal Scattering

Version 3.0 Full Delay Doppler Map sensor data from the CYGNSS satellite constellation, superseding Version 1.0 for data retrieved during or after August 2018. The dataset contains two-dimensional maps of scattered signal strength as a function of propagation delay and Doppler frequency shift, processed from radio frequency streams by the Delay Doppler Mapping Instrument. Data records are typically 10-15 minutes in duration and are commanded to coincide with spacecraft overpasses of target areas.

Use Cases

• Analyzing Earth surface scattering properties based on Delay Doppler Maps.
• Studying signal propagation delay and Doppler frequency shift variations over target areas.
• Comparing calibrated signal data between Version 3.0 and earlier dataset versions.
• Investigating real-time processing of radio frequency streams from satellite antennas.

Strengths

• Full DDMs retain lossless bit resolution, unlike truncated standard DDMs.
• Full DDMs are sampled over a wider range of delay and Doppler values.
• Version 3.0 links to the CYGNSS v3.0 Level 1 files, providing updated data integration.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data retrieved prior to August 2018 requires use of the superseded Version 1.0 dataset.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Data collected by the Delay Doppler Mapping Instrument aboard the CYGNSS satellite constellation and processed into Full Delay Doppler Maps.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:25:19.102707; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Target areas of interest globally, coinciding with spacecraft overpasses.