Comparison of Microwave Backscatter Measurements and Small-Scale Surface Wave Measurements Made from the Dutch Ocean Research Tower `noordwijk'

To improve the understanding of the interaction between microwaves and water waves the VIERS-l project started in 1986 with the preparation of two wind/wave tank experiments and an ocean tower experiment. In February 1988, combined measurements of microwave backscatter, wind, waves and gas exchange have been carried out in the large Delft Ilydraulics wind/wave tank, with wind generated waves. In March 1989 a second experiment took place in the huge outdoor wave tank, the Delta tank, with wind generated waves and mechanically generated waves. In November and December 1990 the third experiment was carried out from the Dutch ocean research tower 'Noordwijk'. In this paper the VIERS-1 program will be outlined. The features of the X-band scatterometer will be described and some results of the ocean tower experiment will be shown.