Remedy 1: Improved traceability of uncertainties in FTIR measurements

Primary gap remedy type: 
Technical
Secondary gap remedy type: 
Education/Training
Proposed remedy description: 

Comparison and tuning of the uncertainty modules of the retrieval software packages. Write down a manual of how to estimate the uncertainties for all parameters that are part of the forward model in the retrieval software packages.

Further, a recipe should be developed as to how a random and systematic uncertainty should be determined for each of the leading uncertainty contributions and this recipe should be promoted and implemented in both retrieval software packages at all NDACC FTIR sites. Ideally a centralized QC system or processing will remedy the online publication of FTIR data whose uncertainty budgets is not compliant with the proposed guidelines.

Relevance: 

Improved traceability of errors is a core objective of GAIA-CLIM. Traceable ILS uncertainty will allow a traceable estimation of the FTIR product uncertainty due to ILS uncertainties.

Measurable outcome of success: 

Comparable and consistently traceable errors for all different sites.

Expected viability for the outcome of success: 
  • High
Scale of work: 
  • Consortium
Time bound to remedy: 
  • Less than 1 year
Indicative cost estimate (investment): 
  • Low cost (< 1 million)
Indicative cost estimate (exploitation): 
  • No
Potential actors: 
  • Academia, individual research institutes