Modelling and Data Analysis of GPS reflections from Low Earth Orbit
- Paper number
IAC-06-B1.P.1.05
- Author
Ms. Ka Bian, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd., United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Scott Gleason, Surrey Space Centre, University of Surrey, United Kingdom
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Global Positioning System (GPS) bistatic radar studies the forward scattering of GPS reflections for the purposes of determining Earth surface characteristics. When compared with simulations, the processed data can be used to extract useful geophysical information. Ground-based and airborne GPS bistatic radar applications for ocean, land and ice sensing have been carried out under both theoretical and experimental work. The obtained results showed the viability of this new concept and encouraged researchers and engineers developing further this application and extending its use to spaceborne platforms. The successful use of such techniques is highly dependent on the applied models, where the validation of these latter depends on the number and diversity of the collected data. This paper studies the modelling of Ocean reflected GPS signals received by the UK-DMC, a Low Earth Orbit remote sensing satellite, where comparisons with the real measurements is presented. The initial results predict a promising application of the technology from space. In addition, with the coming of the new European navigation system, Galileo, stronger signals will be available augmenting the system capability and increasing the spatial and temporal coverage.- Abstract document