Multibeam radar altimetry: Spaceborne feasibility and airborne experimentation
Abstract
The results are summarized of an investigation into the technical feasibility of multibeam altimetry. Three candidate sensor concepts are considered: a real aperture system with an appropriate 4.5-m antenna for operation at 13.5 GHz or a 1.8-m antenna for operation at 36 GHz; a 13.5 GHz interferometer system; and a 13.5 GHz synthetic aperture system. The overall findings show a preference for the real aperture system, with a trade-off between the larger antenna required at 13.5 GHz and rain attenuation effects at 36 GHz. Both systems are shown to be capable of providing equal to or less than 5 cm height resolution and an approx. 19 km along-track spatial-wavelength resolution for the beam that is pointed 50 km off-nadir in the cross-track direction. An experimental aircraft program is also discussed. The objective is to provide experimental verification of these theoretical findings.
- Publication:
-
NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N
- Pub Date:
- October 1989
- Bibcode:
- 1989STIN...9016995B
- Keywords:
-
- Multibeam Antennas;
- Radio Altimeters;
- Remote Sensing;
- Spatial Resolution;
- Attenuation;
- Feasibility Analysis;
- Height;
- Radio Interferometers;
- Rain;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments;
- Communications and Radar