Measurement and classification of low-grazing-angle radar seaspikes

High-resolution dual-polarization X-band images of the ocean surface were obtained at a grazing angle of about 3°. Area extensive imaging allowed us to study the backscatter properties of sea spikes and to compare radar measurements with visual surface features evident from video recordings. The vertically polarized radar images consist of distributed scatter whose amplitude and Doppler velocity are modulated by larger scale gravity waves consistent with Bragg scattering and composite surface theory (CST). The horizontally polarized radar images are dominated by spatially discrete scattering centers (or sea spikes) moving at velocities comparable to the phase velocities of gravity waves beyond the spectral peak. These sea spikes also exist in the corresponding V-pol radar images, but are less prominent due to the dominant Bragg backscatter. Sea spikes are characterized by polarization ratios H/V that often exceed unity, typically by about 5 dB. Comparison of the larger spikes with simultaneous co-registered video recording of the surface indicates that approximately 30% of observed sea spikes are associated with actively breaking waves (whitecaps) while the remainder are identified with “steep” wave features. By classifying the larger sea spikes according to their corresponding surface features, we find hat the Doppler velocities for sea spikes due to whitecaps are noticeably faster (about 50%) than other sea spikes, though the distributions for both overlap significantly. We also find little measurable difference in the polarization ratios of the two classes of sea spikes as observed on the open ocean     

Estimating ocean frontal surface velocity distributions from radarimagery signatures

An inversion algorithm for inferring the surface velocity field of buoyant plume frontal features from observed radar imagery has been developed. The inversion technique is based upon an assumption, suggested by Alpers and Hennings' (AH) relaxation model (1984), that near strongly convergent fronts, the radar cross-section should be proportional to the component of the local current gradient that is directed along the radar-look direction. However, at X-band, the technique only works when wave-breaking (WB) effects, which are not included in the AH model, are incorporated. This WB model successfully reproduces the magnitude of the signature in images of the plume front at higher frequencies (X-band), where it is known that the AH model is deficient. WB effects play a dominant roˆle in the backscatter associated with frontal regions with strong surface convergence fields. These results suggest that the enhancements of radar backscatter in the vicinity of strongly-convergent fronts are proportional to the local current-convergence but that the underlying scattering process involves WB in a manner that cannot be understood from the AH model. Results are presented for the estimated velocity field derived from radar imagery of the Chesapeake Bay plume front. Preliminary considerations of the convergence and uniqueness of the inversion technique are extended by means of a controlled numerical experiment involving the inversion of a prescribed input velocity field     

Global Simulation of Brightness Temperatures at 6.6 and 10.7 GHz Over Land Based on SMMR Data Set Analysis

In the framework of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity mission, a two-year (1987–1988) global simulation of brightness temperatures (TB) at L-band was performed using a simple model [L-band microwave emission of the biosphere, (L-MEB)] based on radiative transfer equations. However, the lack of alternative L-band spaceborne measurements corresponding to real-world data prevented from assessing the realism of the simulated global-scale TB fields. In this study, using a similar modeling approach, TB simulations were performed at C-band and X-band. These simulations required the development of C-MEB and X-MEB models, corresponding to the equivalent of L-MEB at C-band and X-band, respectively. These simulations were compared with Scanning Multichannel Microwave Radiometer (SMMR) measurements during the period January to August 1987 (corresponding to the end of life of the SMMR mission). A sensitivity study was also carried out to assess, at a global scale, the relative contributions of the main MEB parameters (particularly the roughness and vegetation model parameters). Regional differences between simulated and measured TBs were analyzed, discriminating possible issues either linked to the radiative transfer model (C-MEB and X-MEB) or due to land surface simulations. A global agreement between observations and simulations was discussed and allowed to evaluate regions where soil moisture retrievals would give best results. This comparison step made at C-band and X-band allowed to better assess how realistic and/or accurate the L-band simulations could be.     

六通道方位旋转关节技术研究

文中介绍了一种六通道方位旋转关节的设计方法,对旋转关节的整体布局、各通道旋转关节设计的关键技术进行了详细的介绍,并给出了测试结果.该旋转关节由一路X波段高功率波导通道、两路X波段低功率同轴通道及三路L波段同轴通道组成.整个旋转关节结构形式紧凑,各项性能指标优良,加工调试方便,可广泛应用于雷达及微波系统中.     

Estimating ocean coherence time using dual-baseline interferometricsynthetic aperture radar

A new technique for measuring the coherence time of the ocean surface at radar wavelengths has been developed and tested. This technique requires an interferometric synthetic aperture radar system with at least two unique baselines along the direction of platform motion. The coherence time of the surface may be presented as a high-resolution coherence time map. This technique was tested using the JPL AIRSAR along-track interferometer. Measurements of the ocean coherence at the L-band were made at high spatial resolution under a variety of conditions. A new operating technique that results in the required two baselines is described. Some parametric analysis is performed pertaining to the design of such a system. A representative interferometric data set acquired at the Strait of Messina in 1991 is presented to illustrate the technique. The interferometric phase data reveal and measure tidal currents flowing through the strait, while the coherence time image shows considerable structure not visible in the backscatter or phase image. Coherence times in and around the strait were measured to be of the order of 0.1 s at the L-band, which is in agreement with previous estimates and measurements     

Analysis of sea spikes in radar sea clutter data

In this paper three sets of high-resolution, coherent, and polarimetric radar sea clutter data are analyzed and compared with radar sea clutter models. The nature of the data allows a thorough analysis of the power, polarization and velocity of the sea clutter. It is shown that these quantities, especially the velocity, are good measures of many physical properties of the ocean surface. Furthermore, it is shown that these physical properties match well with the sea clutter models. Sea clutter is found to consist of two components, a diffuse background, characterized by low values of backscattered power, HH/VV polarization ratio and Doppler velocity, and a number of spiking events, which possess higher power, polarization ratio and velocity. The background is reasonably well modeled by tilt-modulated Bragg scattering, whereas the spikes may be associated with the scattering on steepened and/or breaking waves. Moreover, it is shown that the influence of microbreakers has to be taken into account to explain the relatively high polarization ratio. A breaking wave origin for the spikes is supported in two ways. First, by a detailed analysis of the temporal behavior of individual spike backscatter properties, and second, by a statistical analysis of the entire population of spikes.     

Hydrodynamic effects in low-grazing angle backscattering from theocean

Time series of returned power, Doppler spectra and range versus time intensity (RTI) images collected from low-grazing angle radar backscattering from the ocean present features which cannot be explained solely within the framework of resonant Bragg scattering. We propose that most of the observed characteristics are a consequence of the way in which waves evolve on the surface of the ocean. We have built a model consisting of a hydrodynamic module and a radar response module. The hydrodynamics module includes most of the physics thought to be relevant to the evolution of a wavefield (i.e., nonlinear interactions, wind, and wavebreaking). The radar module computes the backscattering as the accumulation of Bragg response from every tilted facet of the reconstructed surface, except for those locations where hydrodynamic conditions leading to wavebreaking are detected. Facets involved in wavebreaking are assumed to contribute to the backscattering in a quasi-specular polarization independent fashion. The hydrodynamics module is used to simulate the evolution of a nonlinear wave field, starting from essentially monochromatic conditions. The evolution reproduces known characteristics of these systems, including the generation of sideband instabilities and downshifting. The radar response module is then exercised on the resulting surface at various stages of development. Simulated RTIs at very low-grazing angles reproduce the observed polarimetric characteristics, as well as their behavior when the grazing angle is increased. Simulated Doppler spectra reproduce the peak separation phenomenon observed in field measurements at very low-grazing angles and also show a behavior similar to that shown by field data when the grazing angle is increased     

A stepped-frequency delta-K microwave radar for oceanographicstudies

A stepped-frequency delta-K (SFDK) radar has been developed to remotely sense ocean surface characteristics. This C-band radar uses frequency diversity and real-time signal processing for improved ΔK measurements. It is shown how frequency diversity can be implemented to enhance the energy of the resonant peak of the cross-product spectrum relative to the background energy. This feature is essential for making real-time measurements of resonant peak frequency over extended time periods. SFDK was used in a month-long field experiment at North Truro, MA. The results presented show that the phase velocity of ocean surface waves could be precisely measured 87% of the time     

A Low-Power High-Sensitivity X-Band Rail SAR Imaging System [Measurement's Corner]

Wideband radar imaging with range gating and high sensitivity can be achieved with the use of low-cost commercially available narrowband IF filters. Such filters reduce the effective receiver noise bandwidth of the radar system. This allows for high sensitivity, comparable to that of single-sideband radio receivers, while at the same time acquiring de-chirped wide-band received waveforms. A carefully developed radar architecture, based on the use of these IF filters, is shown in this paper. This radar architecture is then implemented in an X-band linear rail synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) imaging system. The X- band rail SAR is a linear FM-chirped radar, which chirps from approximately 7.5 GHz to 12.5 GHz. The radar front end is mounted onto an eight-foot-long linear rail. The transmitted power is adjustable to 10dBm or less. It will be shown that objects as small as groups of pushpins in free space can be imaged using transmitted power as low as 10 nW. These results are compared to previous direct-conversion X-band FMCW rail SAR work. A high-sensitivity X-band rail SAR such as this could be useful for measuring low-radar-cross-section (RCS) targets. This radar could be used in high clutter environments that require a range gate. This low-power X-band rail SAR could be useful for operation in restricted transmission areas, where maximum radiated power is severely limited. Other applications include any that require low transmitter power, such as automotive radar.     

L-波段掺铒光纤放大器的优化设计

针对传统L-波段掺铒光纤放大器(EDFA)转换效率不高，提出了一种在未泵浦掺铒光纤的输入端插入一根布拉格光栅(FBG)的L-波段EDFA新结构。实验表明这种结构可以提高功率转换效率，小信号增益增加约3dB。基于考虑ASE噪声的Giles模型，建立了这种EDFA的理论模型，并运用数值模拟算法系统地分析了布拉格波长及其反射率等参量对放大性能的影响。     

The simulation of the SAR image of a ship wake

A computer simulation of L-band SAR (synthetic aperture radar) images of surface-ship wakes is described, and the simulation results are compared to actual Seasat, satellite-borne SAR imagery. The model used in the simulation accounts for both the disturbance produced in the water by the moving ship and the influence of the background sea. The radar scatter from the wake is modeled using the Bragg mechanism. A two-scale model of the sea surface is employed in which it is assumed that the small-wavelength Bragg waves are modulated by the larger-scale ambient sea and wake fluctuations. The larger-scale fluctuations are important because they can alter the local angle of incidence and thus cause a tilt modulation in the scattering coefficient. Several components of the wake are modeled: the ambient waves, the Kelvin wake, and the turbulent wake. The model can produce long turbulent wakes, which may be bright or dark, depending on the geometry of the ship, radar, and wind, and it can produce Kelvin wakes     

A multifrequency adaptive radar for detection and identification of objects: Results on preliminary experiments on aircraft against a sea-clutter background

An experimental model of a simple multifrequency continuous wave (CW) radar system has been developed. Preliminary experiments have been performed in order to illustrate the potential of this radar concept in regard to detection, course ranging, and also identification of low flying aircraft against a sea-clutter background. The radar can be organized so as to measure ocean wave height, wave direction, and wave velocity simultaneously for 15 different ocean wavelengths ranging from 150 m to approximately 6 m. An example of such a directional wave intensity spectrum is given. To illustrate the ranging and the identification potential of the technique in regard to airplanes, two different airplane categories, namely a propeller aircraft (Cessna 172) and a rigid jet aircraft (F-16), were flown through the radar beam. The signatures of these two airplanes are show in two signature domains: spatial distribution of scattering centers and motion pattern. The experimental results confirm theories presented in earlier contributions. It remains to introduce two more domains, namely the space/time coherence properties of the target and its polarization characteristics.     

Sea surface imaging with an across-track interferometric syntheticaperture radar: the SINEWAVE experiment

An across track interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) is used to image ocean waves. Across track InSAR data were acquired during the SAR INnterferometry Experiment for validation of ocean Wave imaging models (SINEWAVE) in the North Sea using an airborne X-band radar with horizontal polarization. A wind sea system was imaged at different flight levels and with different flight directions with respect to the ocean wave propagation direction. Simultaneously, ocean wave spectra were measured by a directional wave rider buoy. Thus, the experiment data comprises synthetic aperture radar (SAR) intensity, coherence, and phase images together with in situ measurements. As shown in a recent theoretical study by Schulz-Stellenfleth and Lehner (2001), across track InSAR provides distorted (bunched) digital elevation models (DEMs) of the sea surface. Using SINEWAVE data the DEM bunching mechanism is verified with in situ ocean wave measurements available for the first time. It is shown that significant waveheight as well as one-dimensional (1D) wavenumber spectra derived from bunched DEMs and buoy data are in good agreement for small nonlinearities. Peak wave directions and peak wavelength detected in bunched DEMs and SAR intensity images are compared with the buoy spectrum. Peak rotations of up to 30° with respect to the buoy spectrum are found depending on flight direction and flight level. Two-dimensional (2D) spectra of bunched DEMs, corresponding coherency maps, and SAR intensity images are intercompared. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of bunched DEM spectra is shown to be about 5 to 10 dB higher than the SNR of SAR intensity image spectra     

Directional ocean wave measurements in a coastal setting using afocused array imaging radar

A unique focused array imaging Doppler radar was used to measure directional spectra of ocean surface waves in a nearshore experiment performed on the North Carolina Outer Banks. Radar images of the ocean surface's Doppler velocity were used to generate two dimensional spectra of the radial component of the ocean surface velocity field. These are compared to simultaneous in-situ measurements made by a nearby array of submerged pressure sensors. Analysis of the resulting two-dimensional spectra include comparisons of dominant wave lengths, wave directions, and wave energy accounting for relative differences in water depth at the measurement locations. Limited estimates of the two-dimensional surface displacement spectrum are derived from the radar data. The radar measurements are analagous to those of interferometric synthetic aperture radars (INSAR), and the equivalent INSAR parameters are shown. The agreement between the remote and in-situ measurements suggests that an imaging Doppler radar is effective for these wave measurements at near grazing incidence angles     

Projection pursuit classification of multiband polarimetric SARland images

Results are presented for an experiment utilizing a pastoral land scene with a variety of eight classes, imaged by the NRL dual band (X and L) polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (NUWSAR) at a spatial resolution of 1.2 m. Projection pursuit (PP) statistical analysis tools were applied to a set of simultaneous L-band and X-band fully polarized images (six independent channels) to demonstrate the utility of land classification at high spatial resolution from a light aircraft using SAR. The statistical confusion matrix was used as a quantitative optimization measure of classification. Samples of eight classes from a portion of the scene were used to define a training set, then PP tools were used for classification. It is clear that L-band and X-band fully polarized data view the classes in a significantly different manner, and each brings independent information to the analysis. These results are not meant to be exhaustive at this time but to demonstrate the utility of applying PP tools to multiband and polarization SAR data and to give an indication of the quality of classification one can achieve with moderately high spatial resolution SAR data using a light plane platform     

Retrieval of crop biomass and soil moisture from measured 1.4 and 10.65 GHz brightness temperatures

Physically based land surface process/radiobrightness (LSP/R) models may characterize well the relationship between radiometric signatures and surface parameters. They can be used to develop and improve the means of sensing surface parameters by microwave radiometry. However, due to a lack in the skill to properly understand the behavior of the data, a statistical approach is often adopted. In this paper, we present the retrieval of wheat plant water content (PWC) and soil moisture content (SMC) profiles from the measured H-polarized and V-polarized brightness temperatures at 1.4 (L-band), and 10.65 (X-band) GHz by an error propagation learning back propagation (EPLBP) neural network. The PWC is defined as the total water content in the vegetation. The brightness temperatures were taken by the PORTOS radiometer over wheat fields through three month growth cycles in 1993 (PORTOS-93) and 1996 (PORTOS-96). Note that, through the neural network, there is no requirement of ancillary information on the complex surface parameters such as vegetation biomass, surface temperature, and surface roughness, etc. During both field campaigns, the L-band radiometer was used to measure brightness temperatures at incident angles from 0 to 50/spl deg/ at L-band and at an incident angle of 50/spl deg/ at X-band. The SMC profiles were measured to the depths of 10 cm in 1993 and 5 cm in 1996. The wheat was sampled approximately once a week in 1993 and 1996 to obtain its dry and wet biomass (i.e., PWC). The EPLBP neural network was trained with observations randomly chosen from the PORTOS-93 data, and evaluated by the remaining data from the same set. The trained neural network is further evaluated with the PORTOS-96 data.     

Simulated Radar imagery of an ocean "Spiral Eddy"

Ocean submesoscale features appear to be widespread in the surface mixed layer and thus may be an important link in the energy pathway from large to small scales. An example is the "spiral eddy," for which several theories have been proposed. High-resolution radar imagery should be useful in testing these theories, but there have as yet been no simulations of radar imagery from first principles. As a step in this direction, we developed a capability to simulate imagery using a full-spectral calculation that includes the effects of both wave-current interaction and wave damping due to a surface film. A particular model of a spiral eddy is used to specify the surface velocity field and film distribution. Imagery is then simulated for a range of radar frequencies, wind speeds, initial film pressures, and relative radar view directions. For winds of 3-8 m/s and an initial film pressure of 0.5 mN/m, imagery for shorter radar wavelengths (X- and C-band) is dominated by the effects of film damping. For longer wavelengths (L- and P-band) wave-current interactions and film damping are of comparable magnitude; but for higher initial film pressures, the L- and P-band images also become dominated by film damping. L-band imagery, in particular, is highly sensitive to the initial value of film pressure, and such a result may have implications for determining properties of seawater films. Overall, the radar simulations produce surface patterns having characteristics that resemble radar imagery of real ocean spiral eddies.     

Simulation of ship generated turbulent and vortical wake imaging by SAR

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging of ocean surface features is studied.The simulation of the turbulent and vortical features generated by a moving ship and SAR imaging of these wakes is carried out.The turbulent wake damping the ocean surface capillary waves may be partially responsible for the suppression of surface waves near the ship track.The vortex pair generating a change in the lateral flow field behind the ship may be partially responsible for an enhancement of the waves near the edges of the smooth area.These hydrodynamic phenomena as well as the changes of radar backscatter generated by turbulence and vortex are simulated.An SAR imaging model is then used on such ocean surface features to provide SAR images.Comparison of two ships‘simulated SAR images shows that the wake features are different for various ship parameters.     

The development of inflatable array antennas

Inflatable array antennas are being developed to significantly reduce the mass, the launch vehicle stowage volume, and the cost of future spacecraft systems. Three inflatable array antennas, previously developed for spacecraft applications, are a 3.3 m×1.0 m L-band synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) array, a 1.0 m-diameter X-band telecom reflectarray, and a 3 m-diameter Ka-band telecom reflectarray. All three antennas are similar in construction, and each consists of an inflatable tubular frame that supports and tensions a multi-layer thin-membrane RF radiating surface with printed microstrip patches, The L-band SAR array achieved a bandwidth of 80 MHz, an aperture efficiency of 74%, and a total mass of 15 kg. The X-band reflectarray achieved an aperture efficiency of 37%, good radiation patterns, and a total mass of 1.2 kg (excluding the inflation system). The 3 m Ka-band reflectarray achieved a surface flatness of 0.1 mm RMS, good radiation patterns, and a total mass of 12.8 kg (excluding the inflation system). These antennas demonstrated that inflatable arrays are feasible across the microwave and millimeter-wave spectrum. Further developments of these antennas are deemed necessary, in particular, in the area of qualifying the inflatable structures for space-environment usage     

Optimum choice of pulse pair spacing

A pulse pair waveform can be transmitted in order to estimate the mean of the wake velocity power spectrum at a given range sampling station of an object reentering the atmosphere. It is shown here how one may select the spacing between pulses in a pair so as to minimize the predicted variance of the mean velocity estimate. This variance is a function of the radar wavelength, the pulse signal-to-noise ratio, and the true spread of the wake power spectrum to be measured. These parameters are all assumed known a priori or available from previous data. For a given wavelength and power spectrum, the optimum pulse pair spacing to be used depends only on the signal-to-noise ratio and not on the number of pairs. Therefore, one can simply send, at the optimum spacing, the fewest pulse pairs required to achieve the necessary accuracy and thus minimize the radar energy required as well.