Title of Presentation: Quantifying Sensor Web Capabilities Through Simulation: Recent Results

Primary (Corresponding) Author: Michael Seablom

Organization of Primary Author: Goddard Space Flight Center

Co-Authors: Stephen Talabac, David Emmitt, Joseph Ardizzone

Abstract: We will discuss progress toward the construction of a "sensor web simulator" (SWS) as applied to a future wind lidar mission and will present preliminary results. The motivation for the simulator is to provide the community a tool that would quantify the scientific return of a meteorological application in which a numerical forecast model intelligently drives data collection. Because the design and implementation of such a complex observing system would be costly and would involve significant risk end-to-end simulation is essential. We expect the SWS to provide information systems engineers and Earth scientists with the ability to define and model candidate designs, and to quantitatively measure predictive forecast skill improvements. The SWS will serve as a necessary trade studies tool to: evaluate the impact of selecting different types and quantities of remote sensing and in situ sensors; characterize alternative platform vantage points and measurement modes; and to explore rules of interaction between sensors and with weather forecast/data assimilation components to reduce model error growth and forecast uncertainty. We will show results depicting forecast skill impact from an end-to-end simulation performed "by hand" in which all of the key elements of the simulator were present. We will also discuss progress toward the construction of the simulator and provide a live demonstration of portions of the simulator that have been completed.