On SAR wind speed ambiguities and related geophysical model functions

Recent investigations show that normalized radar cross sections for C-band microwave sensors decrease under high wind conditions with certain incident angles instead of increase, as is the case for low to moderate wind speeds. This creates the problem of ambiguities in high wind speed retrievals from synthetic aperture radar (SAR). In the present work, four geophysical model functions (GMFs) are studied, namely the high wind C-band model 4 (CMOD4HW), C-band model 5 (CMOD5), the high wind vertical polarized GMF (HWGMF_VV), and the high wind horizontal polarized GMF (HWGMF_HH). Our focus is on model behaviours relative to wind speed ambiguities. We show that, except for CMOD4HW, the other GMFs exhibit the wind speed ambiguity problem. To consider this problem in high wind speed retrievals from SAR, we focus on hurricanes and propose a method to remove the speed ambiguity using the dominant hurricane wind structure.

Speed ambiguity in hurricane wind retrieval from SAR imagery

Under strong ocean surface wind conditions, the normalized radar cross section of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is dampened at certain incident angles, compared with the signals under moderate winds. This causes a wind speed ambiguity problem in wind speed retrievals from SAR, because two solutions may exist for each backscattered signal. This study shows that the problem is ubiquitous in the images acquired by operational space-borne SAR sensors. Moreover, the problem is more severe for the near range and range travelling winds. To remove this ambiguity, a method was developed based on characteristics of the hurricane wind structure. A SAR image of Hurricane Rita (2005) was analysed to demonstrate the wind speed ambiguity problem and the method to improve the wind speed retrievals. Our conclusions suggest that a speed ambiguity removal algorithm must be used for wind retrievals from SAR in intense storms and hurricanes.

Near-Space Wide-Swath Radar Imaging With Multiaperture Antenna

Near-space, defined as the altitude region between 20 and 100 km, offers many capabilities that are not accessible for low Earth-orbit (LEO) satellites or airplanes because it is above storm and not constrained by orbital mechanics and high fuel consumption. Hence, a high flying speed can be obtained for the maneuvering vehicles operating in near-space. This offers a promising solution to simultaneous high-resolution and wide-swath synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging. As such, one near-space wide-swath SAR imaging technique is presented in this letter. The system configuration, signal model, and imaging scheme are described. An example near-space SAR system is designed, and its imaging performance is analyzed. Simulation results show that near-space maneuvering vehicle SAR indeed seems to be a promising solution to wide-swath SAR imaging.

A new wind vector algorithm for C-band SAR

Ocean wind speed and wind direction are estimated simultaneously using the normalized radar cross sections or' corresponding to two neighboring (25-km) blocks, within a given synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image, having slightly different incidence angles. This method is motivated by the methodology used for scatterometer data. The wind direction ambiguity is removed by using the direction closest to that given by a buoy or some other source of information. We demonstrate this method with 11 EN-VISAT Advanced SAR sensor images of the Gulf of Mexico and coastal waters of the North Atlantic. Estimated wind vectors are compared with wind measurements from buoys and scatterometer data. We show that this method can surpass other methods in some cases, even those with insufficient visible wind-induced streaks in the SAR images, to extract wind vectors.

Ocean wave imaging mechanism by imaging radar

Analytical representations of the high frequency spectra of ocean wave and its variation due to the variation of ocean surface current are derived from the wave-number spectrum balance equation. The ocean surface imaging formulation of real aperture radar (RAR) is given using electromagnetic wave backscattering theory of ocean surface and the modulations of ocean surface winds, currents and their variations to RAR are described. A general representation of the phase modulation induced by the ocean surface motion is derived according to standard synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging theory. The detectability of ocean current and sea bottom topography by imaging radar is discussed. The results constitute the theoretical basis for detecting ocean wave fields, ocean surface winds, ocean surface current fields, sea bottom topography, internal wave and so on.

Depth inversion in coastal water based on SAR image of waves

Wave-number spectrum technique is proposed to retrieve coastal water depths by means of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image of waves. Based on the general dispersion relation of ocean waves, the wavelength changes of a surface wave over varying water depths can be derived from SAR. Approaching the analysis of SAR images of waves and using the general dispersion relation of ocean waves, this indirect technique of remote sensing bathymetry has been applied to a coastal region of Xiapu in Fujian Province, China. Results show that this technique is suitable for the coastal waters especially for the near-shore regions with variable water depths.

Remote sensing of ocean waves by polarimetric SAR

A new method to measure ocean wave slope spectra using fully polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (POLSAR) data was developed without the need for a complex hydrodynamic modulation transform function. There is no explicit use of a hydrodynamic modulation transfer function. This function is not clearly known and is based on hydrodynamic assumptions. The method is different from those developed by Schuler and colleagues or Pottier but complements their methods. The results estimated from NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Airborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (AIRSAR) C-band polarimetric SAR data show that the ocean wavelength, wave direction, and significant wave height are in agreement with buoy measurements. The proposed method can be employed by future satellite missions such as RADARSAT-2.

Wind-vector estimation for RADARSAT-1 SAR images: Validation of wind-direction estimates based upon geometry diversity

In this letter, a new wind-vector algorithm is presented that uses radar backscatter sigma(0) measurements at two adjacent subscenes of RADARSAT-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, with each subscene having slightly different geometry. Resultant wind vectors are validated using in situ buoy measurements and compared with wind vectors determined from a hybrid wind-retrieval model using wind directions determined by spectral analysis of wind-induced image streaks and observed by colocated QuikSCAT measurements. The hybrid wind-retrieval model consists of CMOD-IFR2 [applicable to C-band vertical-vertical (W) polarization] and a C-band copolarization ratio according to Kirchhoff scattering. The new algorithm displays improved skill in wind-vector estimation for RADARSAT-1 SAR data when compared to conventional wind-retrieval methodology. In addition, unlike conventional methods, the present method is applicable to RADARSAT-1 images both with and without visible streaks. However, this method requires ancillary data such as buoy measurements to resolve the ambiguity in retrieved wind direction.

干涉合成孔径雷达海浪遥感理论与应用研究

干涉合成孔径雷达 (Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar，InSAR) 是以合成孔径雷达复数据提取的相位为信息源获取地表三维信息和海表散射体运动信息的新型微波成像雷达。 InSAR通过两幅天线同时观测 (单轨模式)，或两次近平行的观测 (重复轨道模式)，获取地面或海面同一景观的复图像对。20世纪90年代以来，InSAR陆地和海洋研究成为微波遥感的热点，广泛应用于地表变形监测、南极冰流测量、地面或海面慢速运动目标检测等领域。 近年来，国际上逐渐应用机载顺轨或交轨干涉合成孔径雷达进行海表面流速测量以及海面波成像机制研究。相对于传统单天线合成孔径雷达 (Synthetic Aperture Radar, SAR)，双天线干涉合成孔径雷达 (InSAR) 测量海表面波有着独特的优势： (1) InSAR复图像的相位近似正比于海面散射体的径向速度，这种内在的成像机制提供了直接测量海表面动态运动的机会。 (2) 真实孔径雷达调制传递函数几乎对InSAR相位图像没有影响，而对传统SAR图像影响较大。 基于干涉合成孔径雷达测量海浪的优势，本文做了一些干涉合成孔径雷达海浪遥感理论与应用研究工作，主要内容大致可归纳如下： (1)基于新建立的顺轨干涉合成孔径雷达 (Along-Track Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar，ATI-SAR) 相位谱与海浪谱之间的非线性映射关系，通过数值模拟研究了不同雷达参数和海况参数对应的ATI-SAR相位谱。数值模拟结果表明：距离速度比率、雷达入射角、天线间距和有效波高和波长比率是影响ATI-SAR海浪成像的重要因素。进一步，利用机载X波段水平极化相位图像和机载C波段水平极化相位图像谱结合方向波骑士浮标测量的海浪方向谱验证了ATI-SAR相位谱与海浪谱之间的非线性映射关系。结果显示用前向映射关系计算的相位谱与实际观测的相位谱较为一致，二者相关系数总体大于0.6，而且对成像非线性不敏感. (2)建立了包含海表面高度和速度聚束的交轨干涉合成孔径雷达 (Across-Track Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar，XTI-SAR) 涌浪干涉相位模型，得到了涌浪成像的解析表达式，进一步研究了XTI-SAR沿方位向传播的涌浪成像机制。定义二次谐波振幅与基波振幅比率来表征成像非线性，通过比较XTI-SAR和ATI-SAR相位的二阶调和分量，分析不同海况和干涉SAR参数情况下的数值模拟，结果表明：当速度聚束弱时，XTI-SAR相位比ATI-SAR相位具有较强的非线性，ATI-SAR比XTI-SAR更适合测量海浪。当速度聚束强时，XTI-SAR相位比ATI-SAR相位具有较弱的非线性，XTI-SAR比ATI-SAR更适合测量海浪。 (3)基于包含海表面高度和速度聚束的交轨干涉合成孔径雷达 (XTI-SAR) 涌浪干涉相位模型，结合多维高斯变量的特征函数方法建立了新的XTI-SAR相位谱与海浪谱非线性积分变换。新积分变换不同于Bao (1999) 建立的积分变换，两者形式上区别在于新积分变换中包含了长波径向轨道速度一阶倒数项。数值模拟显示：通常情况下，长波径向轨道速度一阶倒数项不能忽略。进一步，我们针对不同雷达参数和海况结合新非线积分变换对XTI-SAR海浪成像进行了数值模拟，结果表明：同顺轨干涉合成孔径雷达 (ATI-SAR) 海浪成像一致，距离速度比率 和有效波高与波长比率 是影响XTI-SAR海浪成像的重要因子。 (4)基于新的ATI-SAR相位谱与海浪谱之间的非线性映射关系，发展了利用ATI-SAR相位图像反演海浪方向谱的参数化反演模式，并由此得到海浪波长、波向和有效波高。反演结果与现场浮标观测结果比较一致。相对于其它反演模式，参数化反演模式的优点在于：(1) 不需要任何附加信息如初猜海浪谱、散射计提供的风速风向等信息。 (2) 不需要对相位图像进行辐射定标，可以由反演的海浪谱直接计算有效波高。(3) 反演结束后还可以得到成像区域的局地风速信息。因此，参数化反演模式可以实现风、浪信息的联合反演。

Chlorophyll enhancement in the central region of the Bay of Biscay as a result of internal tidal wave interaction

A multi-sensor satellite approach based on ocean colour, sunglint and Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery is used to study the impact of interacting internal tidal (IT) waves on near-surface chlorophyll-a distribution, in the central Bay of Biscay. Satellite imagery was initially used to characterize the internal solitary wave (ISW) field in the study area, where the “local generation mechanism” was found to be associated with two distinct regions of enhanced barotropic tidal forcing. IT beams formed at the French shelf-break, and generated from critical bathymetry in the vicinities of one of these regions, were found to be consistent with “locally generated” ISWs. Representative case studies illustrate the existence of two different axes of IT propagation originating from the French shelf-break, which intersect close to 46°N, − 7°E, where strong IT interaction has been previously identified. Evidence of constructive interference between large IT waves is then presented and shown to be consistent with enhanced levels of chlorophyll-a concentration detected by means of ocean colour satellite sensors. Finally, the results obtained from satellite climatological mean chlorophyll-a concentration from late summer (i.e. September, when ITs and ISWs can meet ideal propagation conditions) suggest that elevated IT activity plays a significant role in phytoplankton vertical distribution, and therefore influences the late summer ecology in the central Bay of Biscay.

Altered Long-Range Phase Synchronization and Cortical Activation in Children Born Very Preterm

Children born very preterm, even with broadly normal IQ, commonly show selective difficulties in visuospatial processing and executive functioning. Very little, however, is known what alterations in cortical processing underlie these deficits. We recorded MEG while eight children born very preterm (=32 weeks gestational age) and eight full-term controls performed a visual short-term memory task at mean age 7.5 years (range 6.4 - 8.4). Previously, we demonstrated increased long-range alpha and beta band phase synchronization between MEG sensors during STM retention in a group of 17 full-term children age 6-10 years. Here we present preliminary evidence that long-range phase synchronization in very preterm children, relative to controls, is reduced in the alpha-band but increased in the theta-band. In addition, we investigated cortical activation during STM retention employing synthetic aperture magnetometry (SAM) beamformer to localize changes in gamma-band power. Preliminary results indicate sequential activation of occipital, parietal and frontal cortex in control children, as well as reduced activation in very preterm children relative to controls. These preliminary results suggest that children born very preterm exhibit altered inter-regional functional connectivity and cortical activation during cognitive processing.

Radar cross-section enhancement of dihedral corner reflector using fractal-based metallo-dielectric structures

Effective use of fractal-based metallo-dielectric structures for enhancing the radar cross-section (RCS) of dihedral corner reflectors is reported. RCS enhancement of about 30 dBsm is obtained for corner reflectors with corner angles other than 90deg. This may find application in remote sensing and synthetic aperture radar.

Calibration of uncertain flood inundation models using remotely sensed water levels

A traditional method of validating the performance of a flood model when remotely sensed data of the flood extent are available is to compare the predicted flood extent to that observed. The performance measure employed often uses areal pattern-matching to assess the degree to which the two extents overlap. Recently, remote sensing of flood extents using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and airborne scanning laser altimetry (LIDAR) has made more straightforward the synoptic measurement of water surface elevations along flood waterlines, and this has emphasised the possibility of using alternative performance measures based on height. This paper considers the advantages that can accrue from using a performance measure based on waterline elevations rather than one based on areal patterns of wet and dry pixels. The two measures were compared for their ability to estimate flood inundation uncertainty maps from a set of model runs carried out to span the acceptable model parameter range in a GLUE-based analysis. A 1 in 5-year flood on the Thames in 1992 was used as a test event. As is typical for UK floods, only a single SAR image of observed flood extent was available for model calibration and validation. A simple implementation of a two-dimensional flood model (LISFLOOD-FP) was used to generate model flood extents for comparison with that observed. The performance measure based on height differences of corresponding points along the observed and modelled waterlines was found to be significantly more sensitive to the channel friction parameter than the measure based on areal patterns of flood extent. The former was able to restrict the parameter range of acceptable model runs and hence reduce the number of runs necessary to generate an inundation uncertainty map. A result of this was that there was less uncertainty in the final flood risk map. The uncertainty analysis included the effects of uncertainties in the observed flood extent as well as in model parameters. The height-based measure was found to be more sensitive when increased heighting accuracy was achieved by requiring that observed waterline heights varied slowly along the reach. The technique allows for the decomposition of the reach into sections, with different effective channel friction parameters used in different sections, which in this case resulted in lower r.m.s. height differences between observed and modelled waterlines than those achieved by runs using a single friction parameter for the whole reach. However, a validation of the modelled inundation uncertainty using the calibration event showed a significant difference between the uncertainty map and the observed flood extent. While this was true for both measures, the difference was especially significant for the height-based one. This is likely to be due to the conceptually simple flood inundation model and the coarse application resolution employed in this case. The increased sensitivity of the height-based measure may lead to an increased onus being placed on the model developer in the production of a valid model

Flood detection in urban areas using TerraSAR-X

Flooding is a major hazard in both rural and urban areas worldwide, but it is in urban areas that the impacts are most severe. An investigation of the ability of high resolution TerraSAR-X Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to detect flooded regions in urban areas is described. The study uses a TerraSAR-X image of a 1 in 150 year flood near Tewkesbury, UK, in 2007, for which contemporaneous aerial photography exists for validation. The DLR SAR End-To-End simulator (SETES) was used in conjunction with airborne scanning laser altimetry (LiDAR) data to estimate regions of the image in which water would not be visible due to shadow or layover caused by buildings and taller vegetation. A semi-automatic algorithm for the detection of floodwater in urban areas is described, together with its validation using the aerial photographs. 76% of the urban water pixels visible to TerraSAR-X were correctly detected, with an associated false positive rate of 25%. If all urban water pixels were considered, including those in shadow and layover regions, these figures fell to 58% and 19% respectively. The algorithm is aimed at producing urban flood extents with which to calibrate and validate urban flood inundation models, and these findings indicate that TerraSAR-X is capable of providing useful data for this purpose.

Sensitivity of radar backscatter to desert surface roughness

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data have proved useful in remote sensing studies of deserts, enabling different surfaces to be discriminated by differences in roughness properties. Roughness is characterized in SAR backscatter models using the standard deviation of surface heights (sigma), correlation length (L) and autocorrelation function (rho(xi)). Previous research has suggested that these parameters are of limited use for characterizing surface roughness, and are often unreliable due to the collection of too few roughness profiles, or under-sampling in terms of resolution or profile length (L-p). This paper reports on work aimed at establishing the effects of L-p and sampling resolution on SAR backscatter estimations and site discrimination. Results indicate significant relationships between the average roughness parameters and L-p, but large variability in roughness parameters prevents any clear understanding of these relationships. Integral equation model simulations demonstrate limited change with L-p and under-estimate backscatter relative to SAR observations. However, modelled and observed backscatter conform in pattern and magnitude for C-band systems but not for L-band data. Variation in surface roughness alone does not explain variability in site discrimination. Other factors (possibly sub-surface scattering) appear to play a significant role in controlling backscatter characteristics at lower frequencies.