Radar Imaging from Geo: Challenges and applications
- Paper number
IAC-08.B1.I.2
- Author
Mr. Davide Bruno, Cranfield University, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Stephen Hobbs, Cranfield University, United Kingdom
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Radar imaging from geosynchronous orbit (GEO) has significant potential advantages over conventional low-Earth orbit (LEO) radars, but also challenges to overcome. This paper presents recent work on dealing with the challenges and presents briefly some applications. The baseline mission we consider is based on the concept published by Prati et al. (1998). It is an L-band geosynchronous passive (bi-static) radar achieving a spatial resolution of ~100 m with an integration time of 8 hours. The system reuses the signal transmitted by any transmitter of opportunity. GEO radars require significant challenges to be solved. The atmosphere changes its structure on timescales of minutes to hours and this has to be compensated for if useful images are to be provided. The analysis shows that ionospheric delay is the major source of temporal decorrelation; other effects, such as tropospheric delay and Earth tides, have to be dealt with but appear to be easier to handle. The paper includes a discussion of some of the signal processing issues raised by its long integration time. Because of the measurement process, GeoSAR data are likely to be well suited for interferometric measurement of surface changes. Two applications which could benefit from the time response possible with GEO radars are emergency response and soil moisture monitoring. The potential benefits of GEO radar justify research to understand the challenges and identify possible solutions. Results to date suggest that the concept is feasible and could be achieved using current technology.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.B1.I.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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