This SNDRSNM2RMS level 2 product is generated by the RAMSES (Retrieval Algorithm for Microwave Sounders in Earth Science) II algorithm. Different from the CLIMCAPS (Community Long-term Infrared Microwave Coupled Product System) algorithm, the RAMSES II algorithm is a microwave only retrieval algorithm. While the CLIMCAPS uses measurements from both Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) and Advanced Technology Microwave Sounder (ATMS) instruments, also known as CrIMSS (Cross-track Infrared and Microwave Sounding Suite), the RAMSES II only uses observations from ATMS. The ATMS instrument used for this product is a cross-track scanner with 22 channels in spectral bands from 23 GHz through 183 GHz on board the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) platform. The RAMSES II algorithm doesn't have a cloud clearing process and produces all weather retrieval. A level 2 granule has been set as 6 minutes of data. There are 240 granules per day, with an orbit repeat cycle of approximately 16 day.
For the initial release of version 1 RAMSES II, a test data set of 8 months is provided. This includes the months of January, April, July and October of the years 2013 and 2015. The dataset is designed to allow research and comparisons over a full seasonal cycle and comparisons of different phases of the ENSO cycle