Imaging Radars
type: Concept

IMAGING RADAR SYSTEMS
in scheme: instruments
definition: Radar instrumentation consists of (1) a duel-mode very high-frequency (VHF) (120 to 300 MHz) synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) that can operate in bistatic or monostatic mode for simultaneously measuring ice thickness, mapping internal layers at depth and imaging the ice-bed interface, and (2) an ultra high-frequency (UHF) ultra-wideband radar (500 to 2000 MHz) for fine-resolution mapping of near-surface internal layers. One important application of the SAR is the determination of basal conditions, particularly the presence and distribution of basal water. Basal water lubricates the ice/bed interface, enhancing flow, and increasing the amount of ice discharged into the ocean. Another application of the SAR will be to measure ice thickness and map internal layers in both shallow and deep ice. Information on near-surface internal layers will be used to estimate the average, recent accumulation rate, while the deeper layers provide a history of past accumulation and flow rates. A tracked vehicle and an automated rover was used to test and demonstrate the utility of an intelligent radar in glaciological investigations. The system was developed to collect, process and analyze data in real time, and to use a priori information derived from archived sources for decision making. The combined real time and archived information can be used onboard the vehicles to select and generate an optimum sensor configuration. This project thus involves innovative research in intelligent systems, sounding radars and ice sheet modeling. In addition it has a very strong public outreach and education program, which include near-real-time image broadcasts via the world wide web Group: Instrument_Details Entry_ID: IMAGING RADAR SYSTEMS Group: Instrument_Identification Instrument_Category: Earth Remote Sensing Instruments Instrument_Class: Active Remote Sensing Instrument_Type: Imaging Radars Short_Name: IMAGING RADAR SYSTEMS Long_Name: Imaging Radar Systems, Real and Synthetic Aperture End_Group…
type: Concept