Enhanced satellite radar based iceberg detection and sea ice monitoring

最近和即将进行的基于卫星的合成孔径雷达(合成孔径雷达)任务的新特点有望提高在大浅滩以及北极和亚北极地区监测冰山和海冰的能力。该提案描述了一项多年研究计划，以加强卫星合成孔径雷达对海冰、船舶和冰山的监测，并制定远程监测的业务流程。拟议项目的重点是使用一种相对未被探索的双极化合成孔径雷达配置，称为紧凑型极化(CP)。**这项工作的主要成果将是发展增强的船舶、冰山和海冰监测能力。为此，将解决以下目标：(1)建立海洋目标(即船只和冰山)的SAR后向散射模型；(2)建立海洋和海冰的SAR后向散射模型；(3)开发算法来识别开阔和易结冰的水域中的目标，区分冰山和其他海洋目标，并定义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；以及(5)结合使用合成孔径雷达数据的三个层次的组织，即学术研究(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)。**总的来说，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，以及大浅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实用价值。

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.