Seasat over-land scatterometer data. I. Global overview of theKu-band backscatterer coefficients

Statistics on the backscatter coefficient σ⁰ from the Ku-band Seasat-A Satellite Scatterometer (SASS) collected over the world's land surfaces are presented. This spaceborne scatterometer provided data on σ⁰ between latitude 80° S and 80° N at incidence angles up to 70°. The global statistics of vertical (V) and horizontal (H) polarization backscatter coefficients for 10° bands in latitude are presented for incidence angles between 20° and 70° and compared with the Skylab and ground spectrometer results. Global images of the time-averaged V polarization σ⁰ at a 45° incidence angle and its dependence on the incidence angle are presented and compared to a generalized map of the terrain type. Global images of the differences between the V an H polarization backscatter coefficients are presented and discussed. The most inhomogeneous region, which contains the deserts of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, is studied in greater detail and compared with the terrain type     

Relating forest biomass to SAR data

The authors present the results of an experiment defined to demonstrate the use of radar to retrieve forest biomass. The SAR data were acquired by the NASA/JPL SAR over the Landes pine forest during the 1989 MAESTRO-1 campaign. The SAR data, after calibration, were analyzed together with ground data collected on forest stands from a young stage (eight years) to a mature stage (46 years). The dynamic range of the radar backscatter intensity from forest was found to be greatest at P-band and decreased with increasing frequencies. Cross-polarized backscatter intensity yielded the best sensitivities to variations of forest biomass. L-band data confirmed past results on good correlation with forest parameters. The most striking observation was the strong correlation of P-band backscatter intensity to forest biomass     

Evolution of the large Deep Space Network antennas

The evolution of the largest antenna of the US NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is described. The design, performance analysis, and measurement techniques, beginning with its initial 64-m operation at S-band (2295 MHz) in 1966 and continuing through the present Ka-band (32-GHz) operation at 70 m, is described. Although their diameters and mountings differ, these parabolic antennas all employ a Cassegrainian feed system, and each antenna dish surface is constructed of precision-shaped perforated-aluminum panels that are secured to an open steel framework     

Dependence of radar backscatter on coniferous forest biomass

Two independent experimental efforts have examined the dependence of radar backscatter on above-ground biomass of monospecie conifer forests using polarimetric airborne SAR data at P-, L- and C-bands. Plantations of maritime pines near Landes, France, range in age from 8 to 46 years with above-ground biomass between 5 and 105 tons/ha. Loblolly pine stands established on abandoned agricultural fields near Duke, NC, range in age from 4 to 90 years and extend the range of above-ground biomass to 560 tons/ha for the older stands. These two experimental forests are largely complementary with respect to biomass. Radar backscatter is found to increase approximately linearly with increasing biomass until it saturates at a biomass level that depends on the radar frequency. The biomass saturation level is about 200 tons/ha at P-band and 100 tons/ha at L-band, and the C-band backscattering coefficient shows much less sensitivity to total above-ground biomass     

Microstrip linear slot array antenna for X-band

The X-band microstrip slot antenna array is described as an attempt to achieve moderate bandwidth and overcome the problems of radiation from microstrip feed lines and surface waves in the dielectric. The discussion covers development of a mathematical simulation that computes the radiation pattern of a single microstrip slot and the feeding microstripline; construction of a uniform broadband microstrip slot antenna array; development of a mathematical simulation that computes the radiation pattern in the H- and E-planes; and investigation of the mutual coupling between the slots. A comparison is made between computed and measured results at X-band frequencies     

RESSAC: a new airborne FM/CW radar ocean wave spectrometer

The RESSAC radar system, used from aircraft platforms for measuring directional spectra of ocean waves in the gravity domain (wavelengths from 30 to 400 m), is presented. The instrument consists of a C-band (5.35-GHz) FM/CW radar system. The transmitting and receiving antennas look toward the surface at a low incidence angle (≈14° for the center of the antenna beam) and rotate around a vertical axis. When the data are processed, the known antenna gain pattern is removed from the recorded signal, making it possible to estimate the sea surface slope variance, which in turn is used to determine the tilt modulation transfer function, without the need of any external wind measurement. Fully normalized spectra obtained from RESSAC are compared to other data sets     

Calibration of radars using polarimetric techniques

A method that uses the properties of rain medium itself to obtain accurate weather radar system gain calibration is discussed. This technique is based on the principle that the rainfall rate measured using absolute reflectivity (Z) and differential reflectivity ( Z_DR) is the same as that obtained from specific differential phase (K_DP). The measurements required for this technique are Z, Z_DR, and K _DP. The rainfall rate estimates obtained from Z and Z_DR are compared with the estimates obtained from K_DP. The scatter plot between the two rainfall estimates should lie close to a 1:1 line, and any systematic deviation from this line can be removed by appropriately adjusting the system gain. It is noted that Z_DR can be calibrated accurately because it is a differential power measurement, and K_DP is obtained from differential phase measurement, which is unaffected by system calibration. The sensitivity and accuracy of this technique are studied, and theoretical and simulation results for C-band frequencies are presented     

A convenient technique for polarimetric calibration ofsingle-antenna radar systems

A practical technique for calibrating single-antenna polarimetric radar systems is introduced. This technique requires only a single calibration target such as a conducting sphere or a trihedral corner reflector to calibrate the radar system, both in amplitude and phase, for all linear polarization configurations. By using a metal sphere, which is orientation independent, error in calibration measurement is minimized while simultaneously calibrating the crosspolarization channels. The antenna system and two orthogonal channels (in free space) are modeled as a four-port passive network. Upon using the reciprocity relations for the passive network and assuming the crosscoupling terms of the antenna to be equal, the crosstalk factors of the antenna system and the transmit and receive channel imbalances can be obtained from measurement of the backscatter from a metal sphere. For an X-band radar system with cross polarization isolation of 25 dB, comparison of values measured for a sphere and a cylinder with theoretical values shows agreement within 0.4 dB in magnitude and 5° in phase. An effective polarization isolation of 50 dB is achieved using this calibration technique     

Experimental characteristics and performance analysis of monolithicInP-based HEMT mixers at W-band

Experimental characteristics of monolithic InAlAs/InGaAs HEMT mixers are presented together with a theoretical analysis. Experiments at W-band show a maximum conversion gain of 0.9 dB with 2 dBm of LO power level. This is the first demonstration of a monolithic HEMT mixer with conversion gain at W-band. The conversion gain dependence on LO power, RF frequency and gate bias is measured and compared with the theoretical predictions. Good agreement between the theory and experiment could be found     

Calibration of the CCRS airborne scatterometers

A series of experiments and associated analyses which were designed to lead to an end-to-end calibration of the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) fanbeam scatterometers are described. The method followed was originally introduced in 1984 by A. Yizhar et al. for the Ku-band scatterometer at one incidence angle. This work was extended to yield a full calibration for the Ku-band and C -band scatterometers over the complete range of incidence angles accessible to the instruments. An array of 12 trihedral corner reflectors was deployed in a grassy field near Ottawa. The CCRS CV-580, equipped with two scatterometers, repeatedly overflew the array collecting radar replicas of the targets proportional to the unknown two-dimensional antenna pattern. Data from inertial navigation systems and aerial photographs from a Wild RC-10 mapping camera were used to determine the exact track of the aircraft during the acquisition. This data, with a field survey, alloyed the reduction of the scatterometer data from the reflector array to yield the unknown antenna pattern of the instruments. The cross-polarized antenna patterns were then deduced from the like-polarized results. The results show consistency within 0.5 dB and overall calibration accuracy is estimated to be better than 1 dB     

Interference effects on Space Station Freedom and Space Shuttleorbiter Ku-band downlinks

The Space Shuttle orbiter (SSO) Ku-band single access return (KSAR) link and the Space Station Freedom (SSF) KSAR link via the tracking and data relay satellite system (TDRSS) use the same carrier frequency. The interference between spacecraft is minimized by opposite antenna polarizations and by TDRSS antenna beam pointing, but if the SSF and SSO are in close proximity, it is expected that mutual interference will be significant. It is shown that a simplified analytical approach will yield adequate accuracy for the expected range of operating conditions. Relative degradation in bit-energy-to-thermal-noise power spectral density ratio to achieve a 10^-5 coded bit-error probability is determined to be 4 dB for the Ku-band SSO-to-TDRS I-channel return link with a 4.5-dB effective signal-to-interference total power ratio (S/I) when the Ku-band SSF-to-TDRS return link interferes. For the Ku -band SSF-to-TDRS return link, both analysis and simulation results yield a relative signal degradation of 0.4 dB at the effective S/I=21.6 dB     

Wet antenna effect on VSAT rain margin

The contribution of wet antennas to the antenna signal path losses in a VSAT environment is treated theoretically. The current commercial VSAT systems operating in either C-band or Ku-band generally have their remote terminal antenna reflectors and the antenna feed horn radomes coated with hydrophobic materials. The aim is to prevent the antenna and radome surfaces from becoming wet during a rainfall. This precaution relieves the burden of added rain margin necessary on the link budget. The magnitude of the propagation loss when the antenna reflector and the antenna feed horn radome surfaces are wet is determined. The results can indicate whether the expense of applying and maintaining the hydrophobic materials on the VSAT remote antennas and radomes is justified under specific loss conditions     

Determination of antenna elevation pattern for airborne SAR usingthe rough target approach

Data from a forested region of northern Ontario are analyzed to yield an estimate of the antenna elevation pattern for the Canada Center for Remote Sensing airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The extended uniform area was imaged as a series of short flight segments in which the antenna depression angle was systematically stepped, keeping all other acquisition parameters of the aircraft and SAR essentially fixed. Subsequent analysis of the real-time imagery was then performed, dividing average image powers for discrete bands of pixels across the swath to yield the relative gain of the antenna corresponding to the antenna angles for the center of these bands. Combining the total set of these measurements generates the entire elevation pattern. Results are given for the C-band, HH-pattern over an angular range of ~50° and dynamic range of over 30 dB     

An integrated mobile satellite broadcast, paging, communicationsand navigation system

The design of an integrated mobile satellite broadcast, paging, communications, and navigation system is described. Ku-band RadioSat ground stations will broadcast digital audio signals and data packets (including alphanumeric pages and group cells) to mobiles through a satellite to be launched in 1993. Each mobile radio will simultaneously receive L-band digital audio and data broadcasts from the satellite and L-band navigation broadcasts from the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) through a common omnidirectional mobile antenna and receiver front end. RadioSat mobile radios will use GPS broadcasts and differential corrections sent through the satellite to navigate with 2-m accuracy. With optional transmitters, RadioSat mobile radios can support two-way voice and data communications     

Estimating splash pine biomass using radar backscatter

L-band HV multiple-incidence-angle aircraft synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data were analyzed in relation to average stand biomass, basal area, and tree height for 55 slash pine plantations located in northern Florida. This information was used to develop a system of equations to predict average stand biomass as a function of L-band (24.5-cm) radar backscatter. The system of equations developed in this study using three-stage least-squares and combinatorial screening accounted for 97% of the variability observed in average stand biomass per hectare. When applied to an independent data set, the biomass equations had an average bias of less than 1% with a standard error of approximately 3%     

SAR observations and modeling of the C-band backscattervariability due to multiscale geometry and soil moisture

The effect of the multiscale surface geometry on the sensitivity of C band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data to soil moisture is studied. The experimental data consist of C-band SAR images of an agricultural site, including fields with various combinations of three distinct roughness components from small to large scale. The backscatter variability due to surface roughness has been analyzed. The effect of random roughness associated with soil clods is never less than 2 dB, and the effect of a row pattern can be as strong as 10 dB. In addition, the periodic drainage topography induces a backscatter variability due to soil moisture variation and drainage relief. The results indicate that airborne C-band SAR data cannot be easily inverted into soil moisture data. However, with ERS-1 or Radarsat data at an incidence angle of about 20°, the effect of random and periodic roughness can be reduced to about 2 dB if the look angle is less than 50°     

Prelaunch performance of the NASA altimeter for the TOPEX/Poseidonproject

The TOPEX/Poseidon radar altimeter satellite applies advances in remote sensing instrumentation to reduce long wavelength measurement errors to dramatically lower levels. The TOPEX altimeter measures the range to the ocean surface with 2-cm precision and accuracy through the use of both Ku- and C-band radars, a high pulse repetition frequency, an agile tracker, and absolute internal height calibration. Dual pulse bandwidths for both frequencies make it possible to quickly acquire the surface and begin tracking after crossing the land/ocean boundary. The altimeter requirements and the elements of the altimeter design that have resulted in meeting these requirements are presented. Prelaunch test data, based on the use of a radar altimeter system evaluator to simulate the backscatter from the ocean surface, are presented to demonstrate that the TOPEX altimeter will meet these requirements and provide the data necessary to the understanding of basin scale mean circulation     

FETs and HEMTs at cryogenic temperatures-their properties and usein low-noise amplifiers

Typical DC characteristics and X-band noise parameters are presented and qualitatively correlated wherever possible with other technological or experimental data. While certain general trends can be identified, further work is needed to explain a number of observed phenomena. A design technique for cryogenically cooled amplifiers is briefly discussed, and examples of realization of L-band, C -band, X-band, and K-band amplifiers are described. The noise temperature of amplifiers with HEMTs in input stages is usually less than half of that for all-FET realizations, setting new records of performance for cryogenically cooled, multistage amplifiers     

An X-band spacecraft transponder for deep spaceapplications-design concepts and breadboard performance

The design concepts and measured performance characteristics of an X-band breadboard deep-space transponder (DST) for future spacecraft applications are summarized. The DST consists of a double-conversion, superheterodyne, automatic phase tracking receiver, and an X-band exciter to drive redundant downlink power amplifiers. The receiver acquires and coherently phase tracks the modulated or unmodulated X-band uplink carrier signal. The exciter phase modulates the X-band downlink signal with composite telemetry and ranging signals. The measured tracking threshold, automatic gain control (AGC), static phase error, and phase jitter characteristics of the breadboard DST are in good agreement with the expected performance. The measured results show a receiver tracking threshold of -158 dBm and a dynamic signal range of 88 dB     

Planar FET oscillators using periodic microstrip patch antennas

An integrated oscillator/antenna is presented that uses a single microstrip leaky-wave structure as both the resonant and the radiating element. This resonant antenna is connected to a GaAs metal-semiconductor field-effect transistor which acts as the negative resistance element in the oscillator circuit. This type of oscillator is similar in its operating principle to one reported using Gunn diodes and a periodically notched dielectric image guide. This circuit exhibits the high DC-RF conversion efficiency that is typical of field-effect transistor oscillators. The planar circuit is simple and inexpensive to construct, occupies a small volume, and can conform to different surface profiles. Such circuits are suitable for use in millimeter-wave systems as well as at microwave frequencies. A design procedure is given, and the performance of X-band prototype circuits is reported. Prototype circuits showed a 9 dB isotropic conversion gain and 40 MHz tuning range at 9.5 GHz