Illumination requirements for orbital SAR - Experience from SIR-B Canadian Shield experimentsSynthetic aperture radar illumination requirements for accurate rendition of geological structure in low-relief regions of uniform radar roughness are considered, along with the effect of illumination azimuth biasing. Results of two Shuttle imaging radar Canadian Shield experiments are discussed with emphasis on look azimuth, look direction, and look angle. It is found out that at least two look azimuths, preferably orthogonal, are essential for adequate rendition of regional structure of the area, while four nearly-orthogonal looks are necessary to compensate for slope orientation. This can be accomplished by orbital design with crossing ground tracks or utilizing a squint mode. Attention is given to the acquisition of coverage from look directions 180 deg apart and to multiple look angles desirable for geological applications.
Document ID
19900059396
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Lowman, P. D. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Masuoka, P. M. (ST Systems Corp. Lanham, MD, United States)