Correlation of radar backscattering cross sections with ocean wave height and wind velocity
Ocean surface condition correlation to radar backscattering cross sections and wind velocity from scatterometer data
Krishen, K.↗
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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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Interactive display/graphics systems for remote sensor data analysis
A color-television display system and interactive graphics equipment on-line to an IBM 360/44 computer are used to develop a variety of interactive displays which aid in analyzing remote sensor data. These interactive displays are used to: (1) analyze data from a multispectral scanner; (2) develop automatic pattern recognition systems based on multispectral scanner measurements; and (3) analyze data from non-imaging sensors such as the infrared radiometer and microwave scatterometer.
Eppler, W. G.↗
Data acquisition system for operational earth observation missions
The data acquisition system capabilities expected to be available in the 1980 time period as part of operational Earth observation missions are identified. By data acquisition system is meant the sensor platform (spacecraft or aircraft), the sensors themselves and the communication system. Future capabilities and support requirements are projected for the following sensors: film camera, return beam vidicon, multispectral scanner, infrared scanner, infrared radiometer, microwave scanner, microwave radiometer, coherent side-looking radar, and scatterometer.
Deerwester, J. M.↗
Interactive display/graphics systems for remote sensor data analysis.
Using a color-television display system and interactive graphics equipment on-line to an IBM 360/44 computer, investigators at the Manned Spacecraft Center have developed a variety of interactive displays which aid in analyzing remote sensor data. This paper describes how such interactive displays are used to: (1) analyze data from a multispectral scanner, (2) develop automatic pattern recognition systems based on multispectral scanner measurements, and (3) analyze data from nonimaging sensors such as the infrared radiometer and microwave scatterometer.
Eppler, W. G.↗
The Skylab communications system.
Skylab is an experimental manned space station which will be operated by three astronauts intermittently over eight months in 1973. It will be in a 235 nautical mile, 50 degree inclination orbit. The communication system includes an onboard audio distribution hard-line network with 13 stations; a teleprinter for recording messages from the ground; telemetry, voice and television links; an onboard video distribution network. The radio frequencies system also includes radiometer and scatterometer earth-scanning sensors operating at 13.9 GHz and 1.4 GHz. The overall Skylab Program is discussed briefly and the communications system is described in more detail.
Disher, J. H.↗
Global oceanic microwave anemometry - A planned space verification experiment.
Recent observations of the wind sensitivity of oceanic backscatter and temperature measurements are shown to have made it possible to design an experiment for verifying the potential use of an operational global satellite anemometer. The experiment is to be conducted with the Skylab in 1973, and its success may lead to the design and flight of an operational microwave scatterometer-radiometer instrument on a small satellite flying in a polar orbit sometime in the late 1970's.
Moore, R. K.↗
New format presentation for infrared spectral emittance data. Infrared spectrometry studies, phase 5
Methods for infrared radiance measurements from geological materials were studied for airborne use over terrains with minimal vegetation. The tasks of the investigation were: (1) calculation of emittance ratios, (2) comparison of IR spectral emittance data with K-band scatterometer data over Pisgah Crater, and (3) standard infrared spectral file. Published papers reporting the research are included.
Lyon, R. J. P.↗
The composite scattering model for radar sea return
A composite scattering model, suitable for explaining the behavior of measured scattering cross sections of the ocean surface, is presented. Furthermore, utilizing this scattering model, the spectrums of the small gravity, gravity-capillary, waves will be predicted for MSA/MSC, 13.3 GHz Scatterometer data.
Krishen, K.↗
Toward RADSCAT measurements over the sea and their interpretation
Investigations into several areas which are essential to the execution and interpretation of suborbital observations by composite radiometer - scatterometer sensor (RADSCAT) are reported. Experiments and theory were developed to demonstrate the remote anemometric capability of the sensor over the sea through various weather conditions. It is shown that weather situations found in extra tropical cyclones are useful for demonstrating the all weather capability of the composite sensor. The large scale fluctuations of the wind over the sea dictate the observational coverage required to correlate measurements with the mean surface wind speed. Various theoretical investigations were performed to establish a premise for the joint interpretation of the experiment data. The effects of clouds and rains on downward radiometric observations over the sea were computed. A method of predicting atmospheric attenuation from joint observations is developed. In other theoretical efforts, the emission and scattering characteristics of the sea were derived. Composite surface theories with coherent and noncoherent assumptions were employed.
Claassen, J. P.↗
Radar studies of arctic ice and development of a real-time Arctic ice type identification system
Studies were conducted to develop a real-time Arctic ice type identification system. Data obtained by NASA Mission 126, conducted at Pt. Barrow, Alaska (Site 93) in April 1970 was analyzed in detail to more clearly define the major mechanisms at work affecting the radar energy illuminating a terrain cell of sea ice. General techniques for reduction of the scatterometer data to a form suitable for application of ice type decision criteria were investigated, and the electronic circuit requirements for implementation of these techniques were determined. Also, consideration of circuit requirements are extended to include the electronics necessary for analog programming of ice type decision algorithms. After completing the basic circuit designs a laboratory model was constructed and a preliminary evaluation performed. Several system modifications for improved performance are suggested. (Modified author abstract)
Rouse, J. W., Jr.↗
Satellite radar scatterometry
Questions of air-sea interaction are considered along with the theoretical results of an analysis of radar backscatter from the ocean and experimental measurements of radar backscatter. Scatterometer design specifications have been established based on user requirements of accuracy, swath width, resolution cell size, and a 100 km grid spacing of the measurements. The instrument errors associated with the fan beam mode of operation are shown in a graph.
Swift, C. T.↗
Design data for radars based on 13.9 GHz Skylab scattering coefficient measurements
The author has identified the following significant results. Measurements made at 13.9 GHz with the radar scatterometer on Skylab have been combined to produce median curves of the variation of scattering coefficient with angle of incidence out to 45 deg. Because of the large number of observations, and the large area averaged for each measured data point, these curves may be used as a new design base for radars. A reasonably good fit at larger angles is obtained using the theoretical expression based on an exponential height correlation function and also using Lambert's law. For angles under 10 deg, a different fit based on the exponential correlation function, and a fit based on geometric optics expressions are both reasonably valid.
Moore, R. K.↗
Preliminary analysis of Skylab RADSCAT results over the ocean
Preliminary observations at 13.9 GHz of the radar backscatter and microwave emission from the sea were analyzed using data obtained by the radiometer scatterometer on Skylab. Results indicate approximately a square-law relationship between differential scattering coefficient and windspeed at angles of 40 deg to 50 deg, after correction for directional effect, over a range from about 4 up to about 25 meters/sec. The brightness temperature response was also observed, and considerable success was achieved in correcting it for atmospheric attenuation and emission. Measurements were made in June, 1973, over Hurricane Ava off the west coast of Mexico and over relatively calm conditions in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Moore, R. K.↗
Soil moisture detection by Skylab's microwave sensors
The author has identified the following significant results. Terrain microwave backscatter and emission response to soil moisture variations were investigated using Skylab's 13.9 GHz RADSCAT (radiometer/scatterometer) system. Data acquired on June 5, 1973, over a test site in west-central Texas indicated a fair degree of correlation with composite rainfall. The scan made was cross-track contiguous (CTC) with a pitch of 29.4 deg and no roll effect. Vertical polarization was employed with both radiometer and scatterometer. The composite rainfall was computed according to the flood prediction technique using rainfall data supplied by weather reporting stations.
Moore, R. K.↗
Radar studies related to the earth resources program
The radar systems research discussed is directed toward achieving successful application of radar to remote sensing problems in such areas as geology, hydrology, agriculture, geography, forestry, and oceanography. Topics discussed include imaging radar and evaluation of its modification, study of digital processing for synthetic aperture system, digital simulation of synthetic aperture system, averaging techniques studies, ultrasonic modeling of panchromatic system, panchromatic radar/radar spectrometer development, measuring octave-bandwidth response of selected targets, scatterometer system analysis, and a model Fresnel-zone processor for synthetic aperture imagery.
Holtzman, J.↗
Skylab program earth resouces experiment package. Volume 4: Sensor performance evaluation (S193 R/S)
The results of the sensor performance evaluation of the 13.9 GHz radiometer/scatterometer, which was part of the earth resources experiment package on Skylab. Findings are presented in the areas of housekeeping parameters, antenna gain and scanning performance, dynamic range, linearity, precision, resolution, stability, integration time, and transmitter output. Supplementary analyses covering performance anomalies, data stream peculiarities, aircraft sensor data comparisons, scatterometer saturation characteristics, and RF heating effects are reported. Results of the evaluation show that instrument performance was generally as expected, but capability degradations were observed to result from three major anomalies. Conclusions are drawn from the evaluation results, and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of a future program are offered. An addendum describes the special evaluation techniques developed and applied in the sensor performance evaluation tasks.
Kenney, G. P.↗
Moisture detection from Skylab
Five sets of data are described which relate the Skylab S193 radiometer and scatterometer data and S194 L-band radiometer temperature to soil moisture content of test sites in Texas and Kansas. Although the analysis of the S193 data are incomplete, analysis of the L-band radiometer data show that it is highly correlated with the soil moisture content of the surface layers of soil. Various correlations and predictions based on the relationship are described in this paper.
Eagleman, J. R.↗
System definition of SEASAT-A, an ocean observation satellite
SEASAT will be an earth-satellite system designed to monitor and observe ocean dynamics in order to provide data for real-time use and predictive purposes. SEASAT-A will be a prototype satellite which will provide experience for system development and some operational demonstration capability. The SEASAT-A will use passive and active visible, infrared, and microwave sensing techniques. The payload will include a scanning radiometer (SR) and a scanning multichannel microwave radiometer (SMMR), which are passive sensors, a short-pulse altimeter, a scatterometer, and a synthetic aperture radar, which are active. The major functional elements considered in the definition-phase studies are the sensors, data handling, communications, attitude control, power, orbit adjust, thermal control, structures, and mechanical design. An existing satellite bus, with sensors and sensor modules to be developed, is to be used on SEASAT-A.
Rose, J. R.↗