Enhanced satellite radar based iceberg detection and sea ice monitoring

最近和即将到来的基于卫星的合成孔径雷达（SAR）任务的新功能有望提高对大滩以及北极和亚北极地区冰山和海冰的监测能力。该提案描述了一个多年的研究计划，以加强卫星SAR在海冰、船舶和冰山监测中的使用，并制定远程监测的操作流程。拟议项目的重点是使用一种相对未开发的双极化SAR配置，称为紧凑型极化（CP）。这项工作的主要成果将是提高船舶、冰山和海冰监测能力。为此，将解决以下目标：(1)构建海洋目标（即船舶和冰山）的SAR后向散射模型；(2)建立海洋和海冰SAR后向散射模型；(3)开发算法来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，并定义战术兴趣的海冰特征；(4)开发数据融合软件，为海冰制图提供更好的信息；(5)结合涉及SAR数据使用的三个层次的组织：学术研究（UoC）、应用研究与开发（C-CORE）和商业用途（石油和天然气公司和PRNL）。总体而言，预计利用卫星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，以及大滩的整体冰管理系统。该项目的成果在前沿地区也将具有重要的效用。

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.