MARSIS ionospheric calibration
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Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Jordan, R. L..
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This paper will quantify the impact of the ionosphere on the radar sounding operation and data processing and will provide potential schemes for correcting the ionospheric distortion.
In this paper, the sounder instrument and its design constraints and parameters are described.
Radar has the unique capability of looking under the dry and cold surfaces of Mars. The depth of penetration of radio waves depends on a number of surface and subsurface parameters such as surface topography, subsurface geological structure and surface and subsurface electromagnetic properties. Among these parameters, the surface topography is known best largely due to valuable data provided by Mars Global Surveyor's MOLA instrument. However, little information is available on the electromagnetic properties and subsurface characteristics of Mars.
Radar has the unique capability of looking under the dry and cold surfaces of Mars. The depth of penetration of radio waves depends on a number of surface and subsurface parameters such as surface topography, subsurface geological structure, and surface and subsurface electromagnetic properties. Among these parameters, the surface topography is known best largely due to valuable data provided by Mars Global Surveyor's MOLA (Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter) instrument. However, little information is available on the electromagnetic properties and subsurface characteristics of Mars. In addition to dispersion, the ionosphere will also attenuate the radio wave. The level of attenuation depends on the ionosphere's electron density and its profile shape and the electron-neutral collision frequency. Fortunately, information from past missions can provide some information on the expected level of attenuation. A figure shows expected total radio wave attenuation under three different ionospheric conditions. Additional information is contained in the original extended abstract.
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This paper provides an overview of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), with emphasis on flight system implementation and mission operations from systems engineering perspective.
This paper provides an overview of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM), with emphasis on flight system implementation and mission operations from systems engineering perspective.
Two Earth-orbiting radar missions are planned in the near future by NASA - Shuttle Radar Topography Mapping (SRTM) and LightSAR.
Adaptive quantizer for burst-mode synthetic-aperture radar reduces data rate of return signal. Device, called block floating-point quantizer (BFPQ) basically analog-to-digital converter that covers wide dynamic range and discards appropriate lower order bits. BFPQ is, in effect, digital approximator with automatic gain control. Moves floatingpoint marker binary representation of signal data in accordance with perceived dynamic range. Available step sizes thus limited to multiples of underlying smallest quantization step (represented by lowest order bit). Retains only first K most significant bits of signal; (L,K) BFPQ is one that does K-bit quantization of signal originally quantized to L bits. Quantization error simply difference between actual signal level and its binary approximation. Other potential applications for BFPQ include speech compression and picture data compression.
Antenna for imaging of polar regions has terrestrial applications. Antenna consists of four horizontally-polarized 19.0 by 0.6-m planar waveguide arrays and appropriate feed networks mounted on single aluminum supporting structure. Antenna suitable for high quality imaging of sea ice in polar regions above 60 degrees latitude.
X-band system has 100-m2 resolution. Wide swath imaging radar of synthetic aperature type transmits signal to ground station for subsequent processing into imagery. Concept meets functional requirements for continuously mapping sea ice in north and south polar regions.