Enhanced satellite radar based iceberg detection and sea ice monitoring

最近和即将进行的星基合成孔径雷达任务的新特点有望提高大浅滩和北极及亚北极地区冰山和海冰监测的能力。该提案介绍了一个多年期研究方案，以加强卫星合成孔径雷达在海冰、船舶和冰山监测方面的使用，并开发远程监测的操作程序。拟议项目的重点是使用一种相对未经探索的双极化合成孔径雷达配置，称为紧凑型极化测量，这项工作的主要成果将是增强船舶、冰山和海冰监测能力。为此，本文主要研究了以下几个方面的问题：（1）建立海洋目标SAR后向散射模型（即船舶和冰山）;（2）建立海洋和海冰的SAR后向散射模型;（3）开发算法，以识别开放和易结冰水域中的目标，将冰山与其他海洋目标区分开来，并确定具有战术意义的海冰特征;（4）开发数据融合软件，为海冰制图提供更好的信息;联合收割机将涉及SAR数据使用的三个层次的组织结合起来，即学术研究（UoC）、应用研究与开发（C-CORE）和商业使用（石油和天然气公司和PRNL）。总体而言，预计使用卫星CP SAR监测海冰，船舶和冰山将提高冰山和海冰监测的有效性，以及大浅滩的整体冰管理系统。该项目的成果将在边境地区也有很大的用处。

New features in recent and upcoming satellite-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) missions promise to lead to improved capabilities for iceberg and sea ice monitoring both on the Grand Banks and in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions. This proposal describes a multi-year research program to enhance the use of satellite SAR for sea ice, ship and iceberg monitoring and develop operational processes for remote monitoring. The focus of the proposed project is on the use of a relatively unexplored dual-polarized SAR configuration, called compact polarimetry (CP).The major outcome of this work will be development of enhanced ship, iceberg and sea ice monitoring capabilities. To this end the following objectives will be addressed: (1) construct SAR backscatter models of marine targets (i.e. ships and icebergs); (2) construct SAR backscatter models of ocean and sea ice; (3) develop algorithms to identify targets in open and ice-prone water, to distinguish icebergs from other marine targets and define sea ice features of tactical interest; (4) develop data fusion software to provide better information for sea ice charting; and (5) combine three strata of organizations involved with the use of SAR data, Academic Research (UoC), Applied Research and Development (C-CORE), and Commercial Use (oil and gas companies and PRNL).Overall, it is expected that using satellite CP SAR for monitoring sea ice, ships and icebergs will improve the effectiveness of iceberg and sea ice surveillance and the overall ice management system on the Grand Banks.The outcomes of this project will also have significant utility in frontier areas.