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At least 433 records · Page 24

SweepSAR: Beam-forming on Receive Using a Reflector-Phased Array Feed Combination for Spaceborne SAR

In this paper, an alternative approach is described that is suited for longer wavelength SARs in particular, employing a large, deployable reflector antenna and a much simpler phased array feed. To illuminate a wide swath, a substantial fraction of the phased array feed is excited on transmit to sub-illuminate the reflector. Shorter transmit pulses are required than for conventional SAR. On receive, a much smaller portion of the phased array feed is used to collect the return echo, so that a greater portion of the reflector antenna area is used. The locus of the portion of the phased array used on receive is adjusted using an analog beam steering network, to 'sweep' the receive beam(s) across the illuminated swath, tracking the return echo. This is similar in some respects to the whiskbroom approach to optical sensors, hence the name: SweepSAR.SweepSAR has advantages over conventional SAR in that it requires less transmit power, and if the receive beam is narrow enough, it is relatively immune to range ambiguities. Compared to direct radiating arrays with digital beam- forming, it is much simpler to implement, uses currently available technologies, is better suited for longer wavelength systems, and does not require extremely high data rates or onboard processing.

synthetic aperture radars (SARs)↗

Electromagnetic plasma wave propagation along a magnetic field

The linearized response of a Vlasov plasma to the steady-state excitation of transverse plasma waves along an external magnetic field is examined. Assuming a delta-function excitation mechanism, and performing a detailed Vlasov-Maxwell equation analysis using Fourier-Laplace transforms, the plasma response is found to consist of three terms: a branch-cut term, a free-streaming term, and a dielectric-pole term. Also considered is the phenomenon of plasma wave echoes. The case of longitudinal electrostatic waves is extended to the case of transverse plasma waves that propagate along an external magnetic field. It is shown that a transverse echo results in lowest order only when one excitation is transverse and the other is longitudinal.

Olson, C. L.↗

Laser radar measurements of the aerosol content of the atmosphere

A summary of the results of laser radar observations of atmospheric aerosols is presented along with a description of the laser radar system devised during the study and of the data handling techniques utilized for the analysis of the data of the temporal and spatial distribution of atmospheric aerosols. Current research conducted by the group is directed toward the analysis of the frequency spectrum of laser radar echoes to obtain absolute measurements of the dust content of the atmosphere by resolving the molecular and aerosol contributions to the laser radar echoes.

Grams, G. W.↗

Furthur remarks on atmospheric probing by ultrasensitive radar

This paper is supplementary to that of Hardy and Katz. It emphasizes the meteorological value of the various capabilities of ultrasensitive radar, highlights the points of agreement and disagreement, and focuses upon the directions of promising research. The theory of backscatter from a refractively turbulent region is said to be confirmed by the radar observations both with respect to magnitude and wavelength dependence. A reason for the apparent discrepancy between the results of some of the forwardscatter experiments and theory is suggested. Disagreement still exists with respect to the origin of clear air sea breeze echoes; the author does not agree with Hardy and Katz that they are due to insects. However, it is agreed that some unusually widespread echo displays on clear days are indeed due to insects. The meteorological value of ultrasensitive radars demonstrated by Hardy and Katz, here, and by others is so profound as to demand their use in remote atmospheric probing.

Atlas, D.↗

Radar observations of Mercury.

Pure monochromatic waves of a wavelength of 12.5 cm were beamed toward the planet. The echoes were no longer monochromatic because of the Doppler effect of the planet's rotation. A Fourier power spectrum was produced from the echo signals. On the surface of Mercury, the contours of constant Doppler shift are circles, concentric about a point on the limb near the equator.

Goldstein, R. M.↗

Measurements of ultrasonic velocities using a digital averaging technique.

A new pulse-echo technique using real-time digital averaging is described for measuring the phase velocity in solids up to 50 MHz. The technique can measure the transit time between any two echoes to an absolute accuracy of 0.1 nsec and measure small changes in transit time to a sensitivity of 20 psec. Experimental examples are given based upon ultrasonic velocity measurements in a single crystal superconductor.

Lacy, L. L.↗

Bistatic radar measurements of the surface of Mars with Mariner 1969.

The detection of echoes produced by oblique reflection of the RF (2300 MHz) spacecraft carrier from the Martian surface as Mariner 6 and 7 flew behind Mars in 1969, is described. Changes in echo center frequency and bandwidth are utilized to study the radius and roughness of the surface along a quasi-specular radar track that led from an optically dark and densely cratered region of Meridiani Sinus over into a smoother and brighter looking area of Thymiamata. A 3 to 1 decrease in surface roughness of large size compared to the wavelength (13 cm) was observed as the reflecting zone moved across the boundary between these two regions. The average radius obtained along the track was 3393 plus or minus 3 km. Due to large angles of incidence (86 to 90 deg), and surface shadowing, the data are not suitable for mapping the reflection coefficient of the surface material.

Fjeldbo, G.↗

Calibration of radar data from Apollo 16 results, part X

Predictions of surface and near surface blockiness using earth based radar measurements were made. Two polarizations of the radar echoes were measured - polarized and depolarized. Particular attention was given to the depolarized echoes. North Ray and South Ray Craters and a 512-m diameter lunar crater in the Flamsteed Ring were used for the study.

Zisk, S. H.↗

Bistatic-radar estimation of surface-slope probability distributions with applications to the moon.

A method for extracting surface-slope frequency distributions from bistatic-radar data has been developed and applied to the lunar surface. Telemetry transmissions from orbiting Apollo spacecraft were received on the earth after reflection from the lunar surface. The echo-frequency spectrum was related analytically to the probability distribution of lunar slopes. Standard regression techniques were used to solve the inverse problem of finding slope distributions from observed echo-frequency spectra. Data taken simultaneously at two wavelengths, 13 and 116 cm, have yielded diverse slope statistics.

Parker, M. N.↗

Research Investigation Directed Toward Extending the Useful Range of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

The report discusses completed and proposed research in atomic and molecular physics conducted at the Columbia Radiation Laboratory from July 1972 to June 1973. Central topics described include the atomic spectra and electronic structure of alkali metals and helium, molecular microwave spectroscopy, the resonance physics of photon echoes in some solid state systems (including Raman echoes, superradiance, and two photon absorption), and liquid helium superfluidity.

Hartmann, S. R.↗

Analysis and correction of ground reflection effects in measured narrowband sound spectra using cepstral techniques

Ground reflections generate undesirable effects on acoustic measurements such as those conducted outdoors for jet noise research, aircraft certification, and motor vehicle regulation. Cepstral techniques developed in speech processing are adapted to identify echo delay time and to correct for ground reflection effects. A sample result is presented using an actual narrowband sound pressure level spectrum. The technique can readily be adapted to existing fast Fourier transform type spectrum measurement instrumentation to provide field measurements/of echo time delays.

Miles, J. H.↗

Active microwave sensor technology, chapter 5

The relationship between surface properties and echo characteristics, as determined by radar technology, is discussed; echo enhancement to reduce measurement uncertainty was included. Feasibility data, suggested baseline functional descriptions of various types of active microwave sensors, and examples of existing radar techniques are summarized. Data manage and measurement processes are also covered.

Source record↗

Report on coordinated satellite and incoherent scatter observations

Measurements taken at the Jicamarca Radar Observatory at Lima, Peru during the cooperative sounding rocket program are reported. The following types of data were acquired: (1) electron density and temperature; (2) vertical plasma drift, (3) electrojet relative echo power density; (4) electrojet doppler shift and condition; and (5) 150 km echoing region.

Calderon, C. H. J.↗

Coordinated satellite and incoherent scatter observations

Measurements taken at the Jicamarca Radar Observatory at Lima, Peru during the Cooperative Sounding Rocket Program are reported. The following types of data were acquired: (1) electron density and temperature, (2) vertical plasma drift, (3) electrojet relative echo power density, (4) electrojet Doppler shift and condition, and (5) 150 km echoing region.

Calderon, C. H. J.↗

Analysis and correction of ground reflection effects in measured narrowband sound spectra using cepstral techniques

Ground reflections generate undesirable effects on acoustic measurements such as those conducted outdoors for jet noise research, aircraft certification, and motor vehicle regulation. This paper shows how cepstral techniques developed in speech processing can be adapted to identify the echo delay time and to correct for ground reflection effects. A sample result is presented using an actual narrowband sound pressure level spectrum. The technique can readily be adapted to existing fast Fourier transform type spectrum measurement instrumentation to provide field measurement of echo time delays.

Miles, J. H.↗

Energy spectrum analysis - A model of echolocation processing

The paper proposes a frequency domain approach based on energy spectrum analysis of the combination of a signal and its echoes as the processing mechanism for the echolocation process used by bats and other animals. The mechanism is a generalized wide-band one and can account for the large diversity of wide-band signals used for orientation. The coherency in the spectrum of the signal-echo combination is shown to be equivalent to correlation.

Johnson, R. A.↗