| This study's purpose is to determine whether a relatively "simple" random band model formulation of atmospheric radiation transfer in the infrared region can provide valid simulations of narrow interval satellite-borne infrared sounder system data. Detailed ozonesondes provide the pertinent atmospheric information and sets of calibrated satellite measurements provide the validation. High resolution line-by-line model calculations are included to complete the evaluation.;These results contradict the expectation that a high resolution model would produce clearly superior results. Some reasons for this are: First, the large computer requirements force compromises of the ideal line-by-line model. Second, data errors limit the accuracy of the atmospheric data. Third, simultaneous, identical validation view paths from space and the earth's surface are impossible with the present ozonesonde system. Lastly, the volume average measurements of satellite infrared radiometers encompass too large a vertical and horizontal dimension to effectively utilize the spectral resolution theoretically available to the line-by-line model.;It is concluded that Ellingson radiation model is effectively at least as good as the line-by-line model for simulation of narrow interval satellite-borne infrared spectral measurements. From a practical viewpoint, because of the ease of use, size, flexibility and low cost, it is in fact superior. The use of this model should provide greatly increased opportunities for researchers to study infrared satellite data collection systems and enhance the development of new and improved constituent and thermal structure retrieval methods.;The Ellingson radiation model was adapted to simulate satellite infrared radiometer spectral data. This investigation has shown that (1) data system errors easily exceed the model error range, (2) deviations from satellite measurements compare favorably for the Ellingson radiation and the line-by-line models, (3) the Student's "t" test supports the positive conclusions for the Ellingson model, and (4) an independent ozone retrieval model produced better results when applied to the Ellingson radiation model radiances than when applied to the line-by-line model radiances. |
