SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “SIR-c”

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.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 55 records · Page 3

All sources NASA NTRS DOE OSTI

NASA NTRS1987

Imaging radar polarimetry - A status report

The development of imaging radar polarimetry at JPL is considered. Advances in the correlation of polarimetric SAR and in the synthesis of arbitrary polarization are discussed. The capabilities of the polarization workstation are described. Various applications for polarimetric SAR data include: the identification of scatter, the evaluation of scattering theories, the measurement of the roughness of geologic targets, the classification of forest stands, and the characterization of trees within a particular stand. The development and testing of the DC-8 SAR and the SIR-C system are examined.

Held, Daniel N.↗

NASA NTRS1987

SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar). Earth observing system. Volume 2F: Instrument panel report

The scientific and engineering requirements for the Earth Observing System (EOS) imaging radar are provided. The radar is based on Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C), and would include three frequencies: 1.25 GHz, 5.3 GHz, and 9.6 GHz; selectable polarizations for both transmit and receive channels; and selectable incidence angles from 15 to 55 deg. There would be three main viewing modes: a local high-resolution mode with typically 25 m resolution and 50 km swath width; a regional mapping mode with 100 m resolution and up to 200 km swath width; and a global mapping mode with typically 500 m resolution and up to 700 km swath width. The last mode allows global coverage in three days. The EOS SAR will be the first orbital imaging radar to provide multifrequency, multipolarization, multiple incidence angle observations of the entire Earth. Combined with Canadian and Japanese satellites, continuous radar observation capability will be possible. Major applications in the areas of glaciology, hydrology, vegetation science, oceanography, geology, and data and information systems are described.

Source record↗

NASA NTRS1987

The measurement of precipitation with synthetic aperture radar

The radar equation for the measurement of precipitation by SAR is identical to that for a conventional radar. The achievable synthetic beamwidth, beta(s), is proportional to sigma(v)/U, the ratio of the spread of the precipitation Doppler spectrum to the platform velocity. Thus, a small beta(s) can be achieved only with small sigma(v) or from a fast-moving vehicle such as a spacecraft. Also, the along-track resolution is variable with sigma(v) and is not known. Nevertheless, the reflectivity is measured correctly. A possible approach to the measurement of sigma(v) is noted. The C-band SAR proposed for the SIR-C mission is capable of detecting a rain rate as small as 0.5 mm/h at nadir when the beam is filled. Because the cross-track beam dimension is about 20 km wide, the use of a high-resolution microwave radiometer to correct for the unfilled beam and the variation of gain across it is suggested. Alternatively, the cross-track dimension should be decreased to no more than about 5 km by increasing the antenna width and/or decreasing the wavelength.

Atlas, David↗

NASA NTRS1988

Calibration of multipolarisation imaging radar

An experiment was designed to calibrate airborne imaging radar (AIR) images, in terms of relative and absolute backscatter, and relative phase between polarization channels. The calibration uses measurements made within the radar system itself (internal calibration) and using ground-based corner reflectors and transponders (external calibration). The techniques developed for the AIR calibration campaign will form the basis of the calibration approach for SIR-C.

Freeman, A.↗

NASA NTRS1988

Comparison of measured C-band scattering coefficients with model predictions as a function of leaf area index and Biomass

The backscattering coefficients for black spruce and aspen at an incidence angle of 50 deg obtained using a helicopter mounted C-band scatterometer are related to leaf area index (LAI) and biomass for several dates while leaves are present. These data are compared with estimates obtained from the Fung disk model for aspen. Implications for spacecraft SAR (e.g., SIR-C) systems and their ability to determine biophysical characteristics of forest canopies are discussed. The precision of SAR data is insufficient to provide consistent tests of the relationship of LAI to the scattering coefficient for single polarizations alone. Backscatter models only provide a simulation of part of the canopy, and more attention needs to be placed on collecting field data which support tests of the microwave scattering models.

Pitts, D. E.↗

NASA NTRS1987

SAR image data compression for an on-line archive system

This paper summarizes the investigation of SAR image data compression for an on-line archive data distribution system. This system is planned for the ground processing system of Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) and Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR-C). The objective of the SAR image data compression is to enable the data archive system to provide the remote users a large data base with good image quality, short response time, low transfer cost, and minimal decoding complexity. The requirements and limitations of the on-line archive data distribution system are presented. The effects of SAR image data characteristics on data compression are addressed. The users' survey results suggest that compression ratios between 10:1 and 20:1 appear suitable. Based on the algorithm evaluation results, the two-level tree-searched vector quantization technique has been recommended as the SAR image data compression algorithm for the on-line archive data distribution system.

Chang, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1989

Doppler centroid estimation ambiguity for synthetic aperture radars

A technique for estimation of the Doppler centroid of an SAR in the presence of large uncertainty in antenna boresight pointing is described. Also investigated is the image degradation resulting from data processing that uses an ambiguous centroid. Two approaches for resolving ambiguities in Doppler centroid estimation (DCE) are presented: the range cross-correlation technique and the multiple-PRF (pulse repetition frequency) technique. Because other design factors control the PRF selection for SAR, a generalized algorithm is derived for PRFs not containing a common divisor. An example using the SIR-C parameters illustrates that this algorithm is capable of resolving the C-band DCE ambiguities for antenna pointing uncertainties of about 2-3 deg.

Chang, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Estimating slash 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 percent 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 percent with a standard error of approximately 3 percent. These results indicate that future Shuttle Imaging Radar Systems (e.g., SIR-C, which will have cross-polarized radar sensors) should be able to obtain better estimates of forest biomass than were obtained with previous satellite radar missions, which utilized only HH-polarized SAR data.

Hussin, Yousif Ali↗

NASA NTRS1991

Relationships between topographic roughness and aeolian processes

The interaction between winds and desert surfaces has important implications for sediment transport on Earth, Mars, and Venus, and for understanding the relationships between radar backscatter and aerodynamic roughness as part of the NASA Shuttle Imaging radar (SIR-C) Mission. Here, researchers report results from measurements of boundary layer wind profiles and surface roughness at sites in Death Valley and discuss their implications. The sites included a flat to undulating gravel and sand reg, alluvial fans, and a playa. Estimates of average particle size composition of Death Valley sites and arithmetic mean values of aerodynamic roughness are given in tabular form.

Greeley, Ronald↗

NASA NTRS1991

AIRSAR observations of the Gulf Stream with interpretation from sea truth and modeling

On 20 Jul., JPL/DC-8 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) participated in the 17-21 Jul. 1990 NRL Gulf Stream (GS) experiment in preparation for SIR-C missions in 1993, 1994, and 1996 for calibration purposes and to check modes and techniques for operation at our experimental site off the east coast of the US. During this experiment, coordinated and near simultaneous measurements were performed from ship (R/V Cape Henlopen) and other aircraft (NADC/P-3 and NRL/P-3) to address scientific questions relating to the origin of 'slick-like' features observed by Scully-Power, the refraction and modulation of waves by variable currents, the effect of current and thermal fronts on radar imagery signatures and the modification of Kelvin ship wakes by fronts. The JPL/DC-8 and NADC/P-3 SAR's are fully polarimetric systems. Their composite frequency range varies between P- and X-band. We describe in detail the Airborne SAR (AIRSAR) participation in the Jul. 1990 GS experiment and present preliminary results of the ongoing analysis and interpretation of the radar imagery in the context of ground truth, other remote measurements, and modeling efforts.

Valenzuela, G. R.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Airborne SAR determination of relative ages of Walker Valley moraines, eastern Sierra Nevada

A regional study of the distribution and elevations of Pleistocene moraines in the Andes requires a method of determining relative age from space. One of our primary objectives is to establish the relative chronology of major climatic events responsible for glaciation in the Andes and other regions that are difficult to access on the ground and where suitable material for absolute age determination is lacking. The sensitivity of radar to surface roughness makes it possible to develop a remotely-based relative dating technique for landforms for which surface age and roughness can be correlated. We are developing such a technique with Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) imagery of the eastern Sierra Nevada where independent evidence is available for the ages and physical characteristics of moraines. The Sierra Nevada moraines are similar in form and environmental setting to Andean moraines that we have targeted for study during the pending Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) mission. SAR imagery is used to differentiate the ages of five moraine sequences of Walker Valley in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Other aspects of this investigation are briefly discussed.

Fox, A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The AIRSAR image browse system

The volume of data acquired by synthetic aperture radar (SAR) missions motivates the development of a technique that will provide investigators with timely access to image data, and the capability to visually inspect images to determine various characteristics of the data collected, as well as the extent of the data coverage. A system was designed for accessing and browsing an on-line archive of NASA Airborne SAR (AIRSAR) imagery and is being developed as an extension to the SAR Data Catalog System (SDCS). The AIRSAR browse system consists of three elements: (1) an on-line, compressed imagery archive; (2) a user interface for selecting and accessing the on-line images; and (3) a software application program for reconstructuring and displaying the images. Details of these elements are described. The goals are to maximize the utilization of the AIRSAR data set, and to demonstrate the image browse concept for SAR data so that baseline catalog systems supporting SIR-C and future SAR missions will feature this capability.

Pang, A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

The evolution of synthetic aperture radar systems and their progression to the EOS SAR

The authors describe the evolution of the spaceborne imaging radar starting with the Seasat SAR, through the SIR-A, SIR-B, and SIR-C/X-SAR missions, to the Earth Observing System (EOS) SAR which is scheduled for launch as part of EOS in the late 1990s. A summary of the planned international missions, which may produce a permanent active microwave capability in space starting as early as 1991, is also presented, along with a description of the airborne systems which will be essential to the algorithm development and long-term calibration of the spaceborne data. A brief summary of the planetary missions utilizing SAR and a comparison of their imaging capabilities with those available on Earth are presented.

Way, Jobea↗

NASA NTRS1991

Techniques in processing multi-frequency multi-polarization spaceborne SAR data

This paper presents the algorithm design of the SIR-C ground data processor, with emphasis on the unique elements involved in the production of registered multifrequency polarimetric data products. A quick-look processing algorithm used for generation of low-resolution browse image products and estimation of echo signal parameters is also presented. Specifically the discussion covers: (1) azimuth reference function generation to produce registered polarimetric imagery; (2) geometric rectification to accommondate cross-track and along-track Doppler drifts; (3) multilook filtering designed to generate output imagery with a uniform resolution; and (4) efficient coding to compress the polarimetric image data for distribution.

Curlander, John C.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Geographic information system for fusion and analysis of high-resolution remote sensing and ground truth data

We seek to combine high-resolution remotely sensed data with models and ground truth measurements, in the context of a Geographical Information System, integrated with specialized image processing software. We will use this integrated system to analyze the data from two Case Studies, one at a bore Al forest site, the other a tropical forest site. We will assess the information content of the different components of the data, determine the optimum data combinations to study biogeophysical changes in the forest, assess the best way to visualize the results, and validate the models for the forest response to different radar wavelengths/polarizations. During the 1990's, unprecedented amounts of high-resolution images from space of the Earth's surface will become available to the applications scientist from the LANDSAT/TM series, European and Japanese ERS-1 satellites, RADARSAT and SIR-C missions. When the Earth Observation Systems (EOS) program is operational, the amount of data available for a particular site can only increase. The interdisciplinary scientist, seeking to use data from various sensors to study his site of interest, may be faced with massive difficulties in manipulating such large data sets, assessing their information content, determining the optimum combinations of data to study a particular parameter, visualizing his results and validating his model of the surface. The techniques to deal with these problems are also needed to support the analysis of data from NASA's current program of Multi-sensor Airborne Campaigns, which will also generate large volumes of data. In the Case Studies outlined in this proposal, we will have somewhat unique data sets. For the Bonanza Creek Experimental Forest (Case I) calibrated DC-8 SAR data and extensive ground truth measurement are already at our disposal. The data set shows documented evidence to temporal change. The Belize Forest Experiment (Case II) will produce calibrated DC-8 SAR and AVIRIS data, together with extensive measurements on the tropical rain forest itself. The extreme range of these sites, one an Arctic forest, the other a tropical rain forest, has been deliberately chosen to find common problems which can lead to generalized observations and unique problems with data which raise issues for the EOS System.

Freeman, Anthony↗

NASA NTRS1992

Application of the multiple PRF technique to resolve Doppler centroid estimation ambiguity for spaceborne SAR

Estimation of the Doppler centroid ambiguity is a necessary element of the signal processing for SAR systems with large antenna pointing errors. Without proper resolution of the Doppler centroid estimation (DCE) ambiguity, the image quality will be degraded in the system impulse response function and the geometric fidelity. Two techniques for resolution of DCE ambiguity for the spaceborne SAR are presented; they include a brief review of the range cross-correlation technique and presentation of a new technique using multiple pulse repetition frequencies (PRFs). For SAR systems, where other performance factors control selection of the PRF's, an algorithm is devised to resolve the ambiguity that uses PRF's of arbitrary numerical values. The performance of this multiple PRF technique is analyzed based on a statistical error model. An example is presented that demonstrates for the Shuttle Imaging Radar-C (SIR-C) C-band SAR, the probability of correct ambiguity resolution is higher than 95 percent for antenna attitude errors as large as 3 deg.

Chang, C. Y.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Preliminary results of polarization signatures for glacial moraines in the Mono Basin, Eastern Sierra Nevada

The valleys of the Mono Basin contain several sets of lateral and terminal moraines representing multiple stages of glaciation. The semi-arid climate with slow weathering rates preserved sequences of nested younger moraines within older ones. There is a well established relative chronology and recently exposure dating provided a new set of numerical dates. The moraines span the late Wisconsin (11-25 ka) to the Illinoian (130-190 ka) glaciations. The Mono Basin area was used as a 'calibration site' to establish remote dating techniques for eventual transfer to the more inaccessible but geomorphically and climatically similar moraines of the South American Andes Mountains. Planned polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery acquired by JPL AIRSAR (South American Campaign) and SIR-C (Andes super-site) are analyzed to establish chronologies of previously undated moraine sequences in a study of Pleistocene climatic change in the Southern Hemisphere. The dry climate and sparse vegetation is also favorable for correlation of ground surface roughness with radar polarization signature. The slow weathering processes acting over thousands of years reduce the size, frequency, and angularity of surface boulders while increasing soil development on the moraines. Field observations based on this hypothesis result in relative ages consistent with those inferred from nested position within the valley. Younger moraines, therefore, will appear rougher than the older smoother moraines at scales measurable at AIRSAR wavelengths. Previously documented effects of ground surface roughness on polarization signatures suggest that analysis of moraine polarization signatures can be useful for relative dating. The technique may be extended to predict numerical ages. The data set reported were acquired on 8 Sep. 1989 with the JPL Airborne SAR (AIRSAR) collecting polarimetric imagery at C- (5.6 cm), L- (24 cm), and P-band (68 cm) with a flight-line parallel to the strike of the mountains. Phase calibration was performed on the analyzed scene by setting the co-phase of a smooth lake to zero as described. Absolute amplitude calibration was not possible because corner reflectors were not deployed.

Forster, Richard R.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Radar Analysis and Visualization Environment (RAVEN): Software for polarimetric radar analysis

Imaging radar data provides information about the geometric and dielectric properties of the Earth's surface. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) polarimetric Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) is currently obtaining imaging radar data for use in geologic, vegetation, snow and ice, and ocean studies. In the near future, the Shuttle Imaging Radar C (SIR-C/X-SAR) and the Earth Observing System Synthetic Aperture Radar (EOS SAR) will also collect polarimetric radar data. A need exists for a user-friendly, interactive software package for analysis of these polarimetric radar data sets. Previous software packages, such as JPL's Multiview, while providing some analysis capabilities for these data, did not allow interactive viewing and were tied to specific image display hardware with operating system dependencies. A prototype software system, the 'Radar Analysis and Visualization Environment' (RAVEN) under development at the Center for the Study of Earth from Space (CSES) at the University of Colorado, is designed to deal with data from the JPL AIRSAR instrument and other proposed polarimetric radar instruments. RAVEN is being developed using the Interactive Data Language (IDL). It takes advantage of high speed disk access and fast processors running under the UNIX operating system in an X-windows environment to allow for rapid, interactive visualization of AIRSAR data in both image and graphical ways. It provides a user-friendly interface through the use of menus, sliders, buttons, and display windows.

Kierein-Young, K. S.↗