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At least 397 records · Page 22

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NASA NTRS1981

Use of Seasat satellite radar imagery for the detection of standing water beneath forest vegetation

The Seasat synthetic aperture radar, operating at a 23-cm, L-band wavelength, detected anomalous tonal patterns in areas having relatively uniform vegetable canopy. These anomalously high radar returns were shown to be related more to the underlying terrain (areas of standing water) than to the vegetation canopy. These results show that L-band radars, imaging forested terrain in a Seasat configuration, are sensitive to gross changes in vegetation, and may even penetrate the vegetation canopy, providing an unmistakable radar signature. Properly designed space imaging radar shuttle experiments, using multiple frequency and polarization radars of various depression angles, may provide documentation for a flood-monitoring capability. Height, configuration, and density of the biomass in conjunction with frequency and incidence angle of the imaging system are shown to be important factors in formulating a backscatter model, but the relative significance of each is yet to be determined.

Macdonald, H. C.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Planetary radar studies

A catalog of lunar and radar anomalies was generated to provide a base for comparison with Venusian radar signatures. The relationships between lunar radar anomalies and regolith processes were investigated, and a consortium was formed to compare lunar and Venusian radar images of craters. Time was scheduled at the Arecibo Observatory to use the 430 MHz radar to obtain high resolution radar maps of six areas of the lunar suface. Data from 1978 observations of Mare Serenitas and Plato are being analyzed on a PDP 11/70 computer to construct the computer program library necessary for the eventual reduction of the May 1981 and subsequent data acquisitions. Papers accepted for publication are presented.

Thompson, T. W.↗

NASA NTRS1981

Origin of bright ring-shaped craters in radar images of Venus

Radar images of the Venusian surface taken at the Arecibo Observatory are examined in the context of recent study of the radar appearance of lunar craters to provide insight into the formation and evolution of Venusian features and to propose the thesis that bright ring-shaped features contain information about the rate at which Venus is being modified by depositional or erosional processes. Radar crater signatures are analyzed by crater floor and interior properties and by properties of ejecta deposits. Morphological comparisons with radar images of lunar craters are made, as well as morphometric comparisons with lunar radar crater haloes. The populations of radar bright craters on the moon and Venus is analyzed using a Monte Carlo simulation. It is concluded that the bright ring crater population does not resemble an impact crater production population.

Cutts, J. A.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Evaluation of SIR-A space radar for geologic interpretation: United States, Panama, Colombia, and New Guinea

Comparisons between LANDSAT MSS imagery, and aircraft and space radar imagery from different geologic environments in the United States, Panama, Colombia, and New Guinea demonstrate the interdependence of radar system geometry and terrain configuration for optimum retrieval of geologic information. Illustrations suggest that in the case of space radars (SIR-A in particular), the ability to acquire multiple look-angle/look-direction radar images of a given area is more valuable for landform mapping than further improvements in spatial resolution. Radar look-angle is concluded to be one of the most important system parameters of a space radar designed to be used for geologic reconnaissance mapping. The optimum set of system parameters must be determined for imaging different classes of landform features and tailoring the look-angle to local topography.

Macdonald, H.↗

NASA NTRS1982

Radar properties of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto

The radar properties of Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are summarized and present understanding of these properties is documented. The radar techniques are described, observational results reviewed, and salient aspects of the radar data set discussed. Theoretical interpretation of the satellites' anomalous radar properties is addressed, including aspects such as external scattering and double reflection from hemispherical craters, the random-facet model, total internal reflection, multiple total internal reflection, the high radar geometric albedos, the tenous upper layer, the two-component regolith, and compositional effects. It is concluded that multiple total internal reflection from randomly oriented subsurface facets can explain the anomalous circular polarization inversion in the radar echoes from the three satellites. Several refinements of the Goldstein-Green (1980) scattering model are suggested.

Ostro, S. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

A simulation study of scene confusion factors in sensing soil moisture from orbital radar

Simulated C-band radar imagery for a 124-km by 108-km test site in eastern Kansas is used to classify soil moisture. Simulated radar resolutions are 100 m by 100 m, 1 km by 1km, and 3 km by 3 km. Distributions of actual near-surface soil moisture are established daily for a 23-day accounting period using a water budget model. Within the 23-day period, three orbital radar overpasses are simulated roughly corresponding to generally moist, wet, and dry soil moisture conditions. The radar simulations are performed by a target/sensor interaction model dependent upon a terrain model, land-use classification, and near-surface soil moisture distribution. The accuracy of soil-moisture classification is evaluated for each single-date radar observation and also for multi-date detection of relative soil moisture change. In general, the results for single-date moisture detection show that 70% to 90% of cropland can be correctly classified to within +/- 20% of the true percent of field capacity. For a given radar resolution, the expected classification accuracy is shown to be dependent upon both the general soil moisture condition and also the geographical distribution of land-use and topographic relief. An analysis of cropland, urban, pasture/rangeland, and woodland subregions within the test site indicates that multi-temporal detection of relative soil moisture change is least sensitive to classification error resulting from scene complexity and topographic effects.

Ulaby, F. T.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Radar activities of the DFVLR Institute for Radio Frequency Technology

Aerospace research and the respective applications microwave tasks with respect to remote sensing, position finding and communication are discussed. The radar activities are directed at point targets, area targets and volume targets; they center around signature research for earth and ocean remote sensing, target recognition, reconnaissance and camouflage and imaging and area observation radar techniques (SAR and SLAR). The radar activities cover a frequency range from 1 GHz up to 94 GHz. The radar program is oriented to four possible application levels: ground, air, shuttle orbits and satellite orbits. Ground based studies and measurements, airborne scatterometers and imaging radars, a space shuttle radar, the MRSE, and follow on experiments are considered.

Keydel, W.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Radar-visible wind streaks in the Altiplano of Bolivia

Isolated knobs that are erosional remnants of central volcanoes or of folded rocks occur in several areas of the Altiplano are visible on both optical and images. The optically visible streaks occur in the immediate lee of the knobs, whereas the radar visible streaks occur in the zone downwind between the knobs. Aerial reconnaissance and field studies showed that the optically visible streaks consist of a series of small ( 100 m wide) barchan and barchanoid dunes, intradune sand sheets, and sand hummocks (large shrub coppice dunes) up to 15 m across and 5 m high. On LANDSAT images these features are poorly resolved but combine to form a bright streak. On the radar image, this area also appears brighter than the zone of the radar dark streak; evidently, the dunes and hummocks serve as radar reflectors. The radar dark streak consists of a relatively flat, smooth sand sheet which lacks organized aerolian bedforms, other than occasional ripples. Wind velocity profiles show a greater U value in the optically bright streak zone than in the radar dark streak.

Greeley, R.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Mapping and geological analysis of Mercury radar data

Although many radar profiles and images of the area within 20 deg of Mercury's equator had been obtained from 1971 to 1981, at both Goldstone and Arecibo radar facilities, surprisingly little geological analysis had been done with these data until recently. Topographic profiles and radar roughness reflectivity images which can be derived from these data will be crucial in completing the geological mapping of Mercury now underway at the U.S. Geological Survey. Processing of available radar data must be completed to establish any systematic relationship between radar reflectivities and roughness, density, dielectric constant, and other related geological parameters. Specific tasks accomplished for these purposes include the following. Documentation was located and searched to establish the type and quantity of Goldstone 12.5 cm radar observations which were available for Mercury. Data has been collected during approximately 50 observation periods from 1971 to 1981. About half of the data, collected during 1972 and 1973, have been processed, but without adequate documentation. A standardized, well-documented procedure for processing and analysis for all Goldstone Earth-based observations of Mercury was established.

Clark, P. E.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Meteorological and dynamical requirements for MST radar networks: Waves

Studies of wave motions using the MST radar have concentrated on single station time series analyses of gravity waves and tides. Since these radars collect high time resolution data they have the potential to become a significant tool for mesoscale research. In addition, radars are operated almost continuously unattended and, consequently, data sets are available for analyzing longer period wave motions such as tides and planetary scale waves. Although there is much to learn from single station data, the possibilities of new knowledge from a network of radars is exciting. The scales of wave motions in the atmosphere cover a broad range. Consequently the choice of a radar network depends to a large extent on the types of wave motions that are studied. There are many outstanding research problems that would benefit from observations from a MST radar network. In particular, there is a strong need for measurements of gravity wave parameters and equatorial wave motions. Some of the current problems in wave dynamics are discussed.

Avery, S. K.↗

NASA NTRS1983

The Arecibo Observatory as an MST radar

The radars and other systems at the Arecibo Observatory were designed and built, originally, for incoherent-scatter and radio-astronomy research. More recently, important additions have been made for planetary radar and artificial RF heating of the ionosphere. Although designed and built for a different application, these systems have shown to be very powerful tools for tropospheric, stratospheric and mesospheric research. The Observatory at present has two main radars: one at 430 and the other at 2380 MHz. In addition, 50-MHz MST radar work has been done using portable transmitters brought to the Observatory for this purpose. This capability will become permanent with the recent acquisition of a transmitter at this frequency. Furthermore, control and data processing systems have been developed to use the powerful HF transmitter and antennas of the HF-heating facility as an HF bistatic radar. A brief description of the four radars available at the Observatory is presented.

Woodman, R. F.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Capabilities and limitations of the Sondrestrom radar for ST observations

The Sondrestrom radar is located on the western side of Greenland near the U.S. air base and Danish community at Sondre Stromfjord. The radar was previously located at Chatanika, Alaska where its primary role was incoherent-scatter studies of the auroral ionosphere. Stratosphere/troposphere studies have occupied a very small portion of the radar observing schedule. The high operating frequency (1290 MHz) implies that the radar may only be used for turbulence-scatter studies in the troposphere and lower stratosphere. While the inner scale sizes of turbulence imply that the radar should be able to obtain data up to at least 20 km, in practice about 15 km seems to be the usual limit, due to lack of system sensitivity. However, this upper height limit varies from day to day and data have been obtained up to 23 km when a long (50 micro sec) pulse has been used. At high latitudes the tropopause is typically about 8 to 11 km altitude, therefore the radar is particularly suited to studies at tropopause heights. Additionally capabilities and limitations are discussed along with transmitter, receiver and antenna characteristics.

Watkins, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Outline of the Mu radar

A middle and upper atmospheric radar system is described. The antenna array consists of 25 groups each of which consists of 19 crossed-Yagis with three elements; each antenna has semiconductor transmitter and receiver, called a module, and each group of 19 antennas works as an independent small radar steering its radar beam under the control of a microcomputer. Thus, the total system consists of 25 small radars of this kind, enabling one to do various sophisticated operations with the system. The system is controlled by two other computers, one for radar controlling (HP9835A) and the other for data taking and on-line analysis (VAX11/750). The computer-controlled system is simple in operation for users and reliable in observation. Very quick beam steering (as quick as in a msec) is also possible because of electronic phase-changing of each module output under control of the microcomputer which is further controlled by the radar controller.

Kato, S.↗

NASA NTRS1983

Chung-Li, Taiwan dual mode (Doppler and spaced antenna) VHF radar: Preliminary specifications

A major unresolved question in the field of atmospheric research using VHF radar techniques is the relative merit of the two most widely used systems. These systems are the Doppler method and the spaced antenna method. It has been suggested that one radar of each type be operated side by side for a direct comparison of the two techniques. This duplication of effort is not cost effective. The major components of both systems are identical, and one radar could be operated in both modes by proper design of a suitable antenna system and by proper data analysis. The Chung-Li radar will be able to switch between modes on a time scale of seconds and is the first VHF radar to be able to directly compare the Doppler data with spaced antenna data. The system will have performance comparable with the present SOUSY spaced antenna system and will provide mesospheric data in addition to stratospheric and tropospheric data. The major specifications of the Chung-Li radar are given.

Brosnahan, J. W.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Ku-Band rendezvous radar performance computer simulation model

All work performed on the Ku-band rendezvous radar performance computer simulation model program since the release of the preliminary final report is summarized. Developments on the program fall into three distinct categories: (1) modifications to the existing Ku-band radar tracking performance computer model; (2) the addition of a highly accurate, nonrealtime search and acquisition performance computer model to the total software package developed on this program; and (3) development of radar cross section (RCS) computation models for three additional satellites. All changes in the tracking model involved improvements in the automatic gain control (AGC) and the radar signal strength (RSS) computer models. Although the search and acquisition computer models were developed under the auspices of the Hughes Aircraft Company Ku-Band Integrated Radar and Communications Subsystem program office, they have been supplied to NASA as part of the Ku-band radar performance comuter model package. Their purpose is to predict Ku-band acquisition performance for specific satellite targets on specific missions. The RCS models were developed for three satellites: the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) spacecraft, the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) spacecraft, and the Space Telescopes.

Magnusson, H. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Antenna induced range smearing in MST radars

There is considerable interest in developing stratosphere troposphere (ST) and mesosphere stratosphere troposphere (MST) radars for higher resolution to study small-scale turbulent structures and waves. At present most ST and MST radars have resolutions of 150 meters or larger, and are not able to distinguish the thin (40 - 100 m) turbulent layers that are known to occur in the troposphere and stratosphere, and possibly in the mesosphere. However the antenna beam width and sidelobe level become important considerations for radars with superior height resolution. The objective of this paper is to point out that for radars with range resolutions of about 150 meters or less, there may be significant range smearing of the signals from mesospheric altitudes due to the finite beam width of the radar antenna. At both stratospheric and mesospheric heights the antenna sidelobe level for lear equally spaced phased arrays may also produce range aliased signals. To illustrate this effect the range smearing functions for two vertically directed antennas have been calculated, (1) an array of 32 coaxial-collinear strings each with 48 elements that simulates the vertical beam of the Poker Flat, Glaska, MST radar; and (2) a similar, but smaller, array of 16 coaxial-collinear strings each with 24 elements.

Watkins, B. J.↗

NASA NTRS1984

MENTOR: Adding an outlying receiver to an ST radar for meteor-wind measurement

Radar scattering from ionized meteor trails has been used for many years as a way to determine mesopause-level winds. Scattering occurs perpendicular to the trails, and since the ionizing efficiency of the incoming meteoroids depends on the cosine of the zenith angle of the radiant, echoes directly overhead are rare. Stratosphere-troposphere (ST) radars normally sample within 15 deg of the vertical, and thus receive few meteor echoes. Even the higher powdered mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radars are not good meteor radars, although they were used to successfully retrieved meteor winds from the Poker Flat, Alaska MST radar by averaging long data intervals. It has been suggested that a receiving station some distance from an ST radar could receive pulses being scattered from meteor trails, determine the particular ST beam in which the scattering occurred, measure the radial Doppler velocity, and thus determine the wind field. This concept has been named MENTOR (Meteor Echoes; No Transmitter, Only Receivers).

Roper, R. G.↗

NASA NTRS1984

Urbana radar systems: Possibilities and limitations

The Aeronomy Laboratory Field Station of the University of Illinois at Urbana contains three different radar systems capable of probing various regions of the atmosphere below about 100 km. These are an mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere (MST) radar, a VHF meteor radar and an MF partial-reflection radar. All three radars can measure winds and waves in the ionospheric D region. The MST radar is, in addition, capable of probing the lower stratosphere and upper troposphere. A sodium (Na) LIDAR is also located at the Field Station and provides an additional way of studing winds and waves in the mesosphere by observing temporal variations in the sodium density profile.

Royrvik, O.↗