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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 361 records · Page 20
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NASA NTRS1983

Synthetic aperture radar imaging of ocean waves during the Marineland experiment

Wave contrast measurements are used to analyze X and L-band simultaneously obtained synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data of ocean gravity waves collected during the Marineland Experiment (1975). The results of the wave contrast measurements show that the ocean waves imaged by a SAR are more discernible using an X-band frequency than an L-band frequency and when the ocean waves are traveling in the range direction. It is determined that ocean waves can be detected by both X and L-band SAR, provided that the radar surface resolution is a small compared to the ocean wavelength. In addition, wave detection using L-band SAR can be improved by adjusting the focal distance and rotation of the cylindrical telescope in the SAR optical processor to account for wave motion. This adjustment is determined to be proportional to a value that is near the wave phase velocity.

Shuchman, R. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Seasat synthetic aperture radar observations of wave-current and wave-topographic interactions

This study investigated the capability of a spaceborne, imaging radar system to detect subtle changes in the propagation characteristics of ocean wave systems. Specifically, an evolving surface gravity wave system emanating from Hurricane Ella and propagating toward Cape Hatteras, NC, formed the basis of this investigation. This wave system was successfully imaged by the Seasat synthetic aperture radar (SAR) during revolution 974 on September 3, 1978. Estimates of the dominant wavelength and direction of the ocean waves were derived from the SAR data by using optical Fourier transforms. Environmental data of the test area, which included the surface velocity vector within the Gulf Stream, the location of Hurricane Ella, and local bathymetric information, were used in conjunction with the SAR data to form the basis of this comparative study. Favorable agreement was found between wave rays calculated by utilizing theoretical wave-current and wave-topographic interactions and SAR observed dominant wavelength and direction changes across the Gulf Stream and continental shelf.

Meadows, G. A.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Tradeoffs among several synthetic aperture radar image quality parameters - Results of a user survey study

The imagery obtained with the aid of synthetic aperture radars (SAR) has been applied to several remote sensing disciplines such as geologic feature mapping, oceanic phenomena studies, and land use and urban morphology studies. The successful SAR experiment on Seasat and the Shuttle demonstrated the feasibility of global radar mapping at relatively high resolution from a spaceborn platform. The present investigation is concerned with the requirements of and the tradeoffs among several SAR image quality parameters. The results are presented from a survey study concerning the interpretability of a set of SAR images. The data used to generate these images were obtained by the Seasat SAR experiments. Attention is given to image scenes and the simulation experiment, image interpretation survey results, multiple-looks, the number of looks vs resolution, and number of bits vs resolution.

Li, F. K.↗
NASA NTRS1982

Measurement of ocean surface currents by synthetic aperture radar

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is a coherent imaging device which uses the Doppler-induced phase changes of the received signals to locate scatterers in the along-track direction. In principle, the recorded data can be analyzed to obtain the radial velocity of moving objects in the scene relative to the flight path of the SAR platform. The application of this concept for measuring ocean surface currents has been evaluated using data from SAR systems mounted in aircraft and spacecraft platforms. This paper describes the results of these experiments and summarizes the limitations of the technique using existing SAR systems. Considerations involved in the design of optimum systems for this application are also discussed.

Lyzenga, D. R.↗
NASA NTRS1982

The SEASAT Synthetic Aperture Radar - Engineering performance evaluation

Results are presented for a study conducted in order to characterize the quality and consistency of the SEASAT Synthetic Aperture Radar image data set. The study evaluated a large spectrum of parameters, including the resolution, position location accuracy, and the amplitude calibration of the imagery produced from the raw data by processors at several institutions. It is demonstrated that this data set can be used to obtain resolution up to the theoretical limit of 6 m x 21 m, absolute position location to within 200 m, and relative calibration of the image data to within + or - 2 dB.

Held, D. N.↗
NASA NTRS1982

A comparative study of real-time spaceborne synthetic aperture radar processing techniques

A review of various spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) processing algorithms and their associated real-time SAR processor architectures is given in this paper. The processing complexity for each real-time SAR processor is presented next. A complexity comparison is then given based on the Seasat SAR parameters. It is shown that the frequency/time domain hybrid fast correlation and the two-stage fast Fourier transform (FET) approaches are the two most cost-effective choices for real-time spaceborne SAR processing. Finally, a discussion on future development trends in real-time spaceborne SAR processing is given.

Liu, K. Y.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Synthetic aperture radar imaging from an inclined geosynchronous orbit

Images of earth can be produced with an assumed synthetic aperture radar (SAR) on a satellite platform undergoing a nutating relative motion from geosynchronous altitude. From a 50 deg inclined circular orbit, the contiguous United States can be imaged in about 3 h of segmented operation at 100-m resolution with 4-azimuth-look averaging. The 2450-MHz transmitter radiates 1312 W of average power from a steerable 15-m-diam antenna. The SAR can image daily an area bounded longitudinally and latitudinally.

Tomiyasu, K.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Estimating Doppler Shifts for Synthetic-Aperture Radar

Quality of synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) imagery enhanced by pair of signal-processing techniques that compensate for relative motion between target and vehicle. Combining vehicle trajectory data with radar-parameter and raw image data, techniques generate Doppler estimates for use in constructing fully processed images.

Curlander, J. C.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Contour-Mapping Synthetic-Aperture Radar

Airborne two-antenna synthetic-aperture-radar (SAR) interferometric system provides data processed to yield terrain elevation as well as reflectedintensity information. Relative altitudes of terrain points measured to within error of approximately 25 m.

Goldstein, R. M.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Bistatic Synthetic-Aperture Radar

Report describes synthetic-aperture radar that uses spaceborne transmitter and ground (or airborne) receiver to obtain imaging data in real time. System has applications in vessel navigation in open seas and polar ice regions, monitoring of wave and ice patterns near shores and oil platforms, and continuous monitoring of region with repeat time of few hours or less.

Elachi, C.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Analysis of data acquired by synthetic aperture radar over Dade County, Florida, and Acadia Parish, Louisiana

Results of digital processing of airborne X-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data acquired over Dade County, Florida, and Acadia Parish, Louisiana are presented. The goal was to investigate the utility of SAR data for land cover mapping and area estimation under the AgRISTARS Domestic Crops and Land Cover Project. In the case of the Acadia Paris study area, LANDSAT multispectral scanner (MSS) data were also used to form a combined SAR and MSS data set. The results of accuracy evaluation for the SAR, MSS, and SAR/MSS data using supervised classification show that the combined SAR/MSS data set results in an improved classification accuracy of the five land cover classes as compared with SAR-only and MSS-only data sets. In the case of the Dade County study area, the results indicate that both HH and VV polarization data are highly responsive to the row orientation of the row crop but not to the specific vegetation which forms the row structure. On the other hand, the HV polarization data are relatively insensitive to the orientation of row crop. Therefore, the HV polarization data may be used to discriminate the specific vegetation that forms the row structure.

Wu, S. T.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Remote sensing with spaceborne synthetic aperture imaging radars: A review

A review is given of remote sensing with Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR's). In 1978, a spaceborne SA was flown on the SEASAT satellite. It acquired high resulution images over many regions in North America and the North Pacific. The acquired data clearly demonstrate the capability of spaceborne SARs to: image and track polar ice floes; image ocean surface patterns including swells, internal waves, current boundaries, weather boundaries and vessels; and image land features which are used to acquire information about the surface geology and land cover. In 1981, another SAR was flown on the second shuttle flight. This Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-A) acquired land and ocean images over many areas around the world. The emphasis of the SIR-A experiment was mainly toward geologic mapping. Some of the key results of the SIR-A experiment are given.

Cimino, J. B.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Flight test of a synthetic aperture radar antenna using STEP

To establish confidence in its overall performance, credible information on the synthetic aperture radar antenna's mechanical properties in orbit must be obtained. However, the antenna's size, design, and operating environment make it difficult to simulate operating conditions under 1-g Earth conditions. The Space Technology Experiments Platform (STEP) offers a timely opportunity to mechanically qualify and characterize the antenna design in a representative environment. The proposed experimental configuration would employ a half-system of the full-scale RADARSAT antenna which would be mounted on the STEP platform in the orbiter cargo bay such that it could be deployed and retracted in orbit (as shown in this figure). The antenna would be subjected to typical environmental exposures while an array of targets and sensors on the antenna support structure and reflecting surface are observed and monitored. In particular, the typical environments would include deployment and retraction, dynamic response to vehicle thruster or base exciter inputs, and thermal soak and transient effects upon entering or exiting Earth eclipse. The proposed experiment would also provide generic information on the properties of large space structures in space and on techniques to obtain the desired information.

Zimcik, D. G.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Synthetic aperture radar images of ocean waves, theories of imaging physics and experimental tests

The physical mechanism for the synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imaging of ocean waves is investigated through the use of analytical models. The models are tested by comparison with data sets from the SEASAT mission and airborne SAR's. Dominant ocean wavelengths from SAR estimates are biased towards longer wavelengths. The quasispecular scattering mechanism agrees with experimental data. The Doppler shift for ship wakes is that of the mean sea surface.

Vesecky, J. F.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Optimum backscatter cross section of the ocean as measured by synthetic aperture radars

The interaction of the radar signals from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Side Looking Airborne Radar (SLAR) is particularly important for the ocean surface where the radar modulation can yield information about the long ocean wave field. Radar modulation measurements from fixed platforms are made in wavetanks and the open oceans. The surfaces are described in terms of two scale models. The radar modulation is considered to be principally due to: (1) geometrical tilt due to the slope of the long ocean waves, and (2) the straining of the short waves (by hydrodynamic interaction). For application to moving platforms, this modulation needs to be described in terms of a general geometry for both like and cross polarization since the long ocean waves, in general, travel in arbitrary directions. The finite resolution of the radar is considered for tilt modulation with hydrodynamic effects neglected.

Bahar, E.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Synthetic aperture radar target simulator

A simulator for simulating the radar return, or echo, from a target seen by a SAR antenna mounted on a platform moving with respect to the target is described. It includes a first-in first-out memory which has digital information clocked in at a rate related to the frequency of a transmitted radar signal and digital information clocked out with a fixed delay defining range between the SAR and the simulated target, and at a rate related to the frequency of the return signal. An RF input signal having a frequency similar to that utilized by a synthetic aperture array radar is mixed with a local oscillator signal to provide a first baseband signal having a frequency considerably lower than that of the RF input signal.

Zebker, H. A.↗
NASA NTRS1984

Theoretical design and analysis of the layered synthetic microstructure optic for the dual path X-ray telescope

A ray tracing analysis was performed for several configurations for the inner channel of the dual path X-ray telescope, which is proposed to use the second mirror of the Stanford/MSFC Wolter-Schwarzchild telescope and a normal incident layered synthetic microstructure (LSM) mirror to form a secondary image near the front of the telescope. The LSM mirror shapes considered were spherical, ellipsoid, hyperboloid, and constant optical path length (OPL) aspheric. Only the constant OPL case gave good axial resolution. All cases had poor off axis resolution as judged by the RMS blur circle radius.

Shealy, D. L.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A comparative study on synthetic aperture radar and optical imagery of ocean waves

The ocean imaging capability of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is examined in terms of an intercomparison between simultaneous, spatially collocated images of a coastal ocean scene, as recorded by aerial photography and aircraft-borne SAR. Based on a detailed study of these images, this paper examines various local features of oceanographic interest as they are imaged by the two methods. This provides information not available in the usual comparisons of normalized SAR and single point buoy spectra. In addition, aspects of the intensity wavenumber spectra of the two images are examined and discussed. An interesting and surprising conclusion arising from the comparison study is the ability of the SAR to image accurately non-uniform (possibly nonlinear) wave features which are imaged by the aerial photography. This result should have important implications on the development of SAR imaging models and the interpretation of the effect of ocean surface motion on the SAR images.

Banner, M. L.↗