A beta-version of the GPM Combined Algorithm code was released this week for the purpose of internal testing by team members. The GPM Combined Algorithm is developed to integrate sensor information from the two instruments onboard the GPM Core Observatory: the Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) and the GPM Microwave Imager (GMI). The sophisticated software program combines raw data from each of the instruments to provide more comprehensive estimates of precipitation rate, water content profile, and drop distribution; that is, the software is important for translating what the instruments "see" from space into rain and snow structure and intensity information.

The Algorithm Team met at Goddard Space Flight Center on the 21st and 22nd of September 2011 to discuss the algorithm software and suggest possible modifications that might lead to improvements in precipitation estimation. For example, different representations of the precipitation particle size distribution in the algorithm were discussed. Taking advantage of the spatial correlations of given parameters describing the size distribution could limit the ambiguity of rain rate estimates and enhance the impact of the GPM Microwave Imager radiometer data.

Learn more about GPM algorithms.