Three-Dimensional Ocean Thermal Structure (TOTS) Software Module Software Requirements Specifications

Abstract : The Tactical Environmental Support System (TESS(3)) is gearing up to receive and process digital visible and infrared imagery from the civilian and military polar orbiter meteorological satellites. Real-time data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) sensors will be used for variety of applications. The Three-dimensional Ocean Thermal Structure (TOTS) software module described here uses the infrared imagery to derive ocean front and eddy positions and then incorporates feature models of the eddies and fronts to create synthetic profiles of temperature versus depth. These observations fill a critical gap in our knowledge of the real-time thermal field. The ability to combine this information with all in situ reports and generate a 3-d volume of temperature and sound speed is detailed for subsequent input to acoustic models.