ST.

JOSEPH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

AND TECHNOLOGY

ASSIGNMENT 01.

GROUP MEMBERS
NO. NAMES REGISTRATION NO.
01 RAHEL NKENZA 21171051023
02 SHARON.S. ABDIEL 21171051043
QN.01. Write about microwave remote sensing systems.
Microwave remote sensing involves using microwave signals to gather information about the
Earth's surface. It utilizes sensors aboard satellites or aircraft to measure microwave radiation
emitted or reflected from the surface, providing data used in various fields like weather
forecasting, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.
Types of microwave remote sensing.
Microwave RS can be divided into two types:

1. Active Microwave Sensor

2. Passive Microwaves Sensor.

Active Microwave Sensing

Active microwave sensor provides their own source of microwave radiation to illuminate the
target. It is an observed scene and, therefore, can be used both at night and day, independently of
the presence of the sun.

The sensor transmits a (radio) signal in the microwave bandwidth and records the part that is
back scattered by the target towards the sensor itself. The power of the back scattered signal
allows to discriminate between different targets within the scene, while the time between the sent
and the received signal is used to measure the distance of the target. A system that operates is
called Radar, and may allow to obtain a microwave image of the observed scene. Active
microwave is performed either from satellites or Airplane.
Passive Remote Sensing.
Passive microwave sensor is similar in concept to Thermal remote sensing. All objects emit
microwave energy of some magnitude, but the amounts are generally very small. The Passive
systems collect the radiation that is naturally emitted by the observed surface. The emitted
energy is related to the temperature and moisture properties of the emitted object or surface
within it is a field of view. Passive microwave performs only for satellites, because passive
microwave used for earth’s atmosphere data collection.
How microwave remote sensing systems works.
Microwave remote sensing systems operate by emitting microwave radiation towards the
Earth's surface using sensors aboard satellites or aircraft. These microwaves interact with the
surface, and the sensor measures the reflected or emitted radiation. The data collected is then
analyzed to derive information about various properties of the Earth's surface, such as soil
moisture, vegetation health, ocean salinity, and more. Different frequencies of microwaves are
used for specific applications due to their interaction with different surface features.

USES OF MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING.

Microwave remote sensing finds application in various fields:
1.Weather Forecasting:
It helps in observing atmospheric conditions like precipitation, cloud formations, and
temperature patterns.
2. Agriculture:
Monitoring crop growth, assessing soil moisture, and detecting changes in vegetation health for
better agricultural management.
3. Environmental Monitoring:
Studying changes in ice caps, monitoring deforestation, and tracking changes in ocean currents
or sea surface temperatures.
4. Natural Disasters:
Assessing and predicting natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and landslides by monitoring
changes in land or water surfaces.
5. Urban Planning:
Monitoring urban expansion, land use, and changes in infrastructure for better city planning.
6. Geological Exploration:
Identifying geological features, studying terrain, and discovering mineral deposits using
microwave sensors.
7. Oceanography:
Monitoring Sea surface temperatures, studying currents, and observing marine life and
ecosystems.

ADVANTAGES OF MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING.

Microwave remote sensing offers several advantages:
1. Weather Independence:
Microwaves penetrate clouds, smoke, and haze, enabling data collection in adverse weather
conditions where visible light sensors might fail.
2. Day-and-Night Observation:
Microwave sensors are not reliant on sunlight, allowing continuous monitoring day or night.
3. Penetration Abilities:
Microwaves penetrate vegetation, soil, and some materials, providing insights beneath the
surface, like soil moisture content or subsurface features.
4. High Spatial Resolution:
Microwave sensors can provide high-resolution images, allowing detailed analysis of Earth's
surface features.
5. Wide Application Range:
It's versatile, used for various purposes including weather monitoring, agriculture, environmental
studies, and disaster management.
6. Consistent Data Collection:
Microwave sensors offer consistent and reliable data collection due to their ability to penetrate
through atmospheric disturbances.

DISADVANTAGES OF MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING.

1. Limited resolution compared to optical – Microwave sensors can’t capture images as

sharp or detailed as cameras that use visible light. Smaller things might not show up well.
Weather and atmospheric effects influence – Rain, clouds, and other weather can
change the microwave signals, making the picture less clear or accurate.
2. Penetration depth varies with materials – Different stuff on the ground, like soil or
rocks, can mess with how deep the microwaves go. This can make underground images
tricky.
3. Requires large antennas for detail – To get a really good look at something small from
far away, you need a big dish to catch the microwaves. This can be hard to set up.
4. Data interpretation can be complex – Understanding what microwave images are
showing can be tough. It often takes a lot of training and practice to get it right.
Discuss all about Radar? Focus on the following aspects

What is radar?
Radar stands for "Radio Detection and Ranging." It's a system that uses radio waves to detect
the presence, location, and motion of objects such as aircraft, ships, vehicles, or weather
formations. Radar works by emitting radio waves and then receiving the signals reflected back
from the objects, allowing it to determine their position, speed, and other characteristics. It's
widely used in navigation, air traffic control, weather forecasting, defense systems, and various
other applications.

USES OF RADAR
1.Aviation: Used for aircraft navigation, air traffic control, collision avoidance systems, and
weather monitoring for safer and efficient air travel.

2. Maritime: Enables ship navigation, collision avoidance, monitoring sea surface conditions,
and detecting other vessels or obstacles.

3. Weather Forecasting: Helps in observing precipitation, storm tracking, and analyzing

atmospheric conditions for weather prediction.

4. Defense and Military: Radar is vital for air defense systems, missile guidance, surveillance,
and battlefield reconnaissance.

5. Automotive; In modern vehicles, radar is employed for adaptive cruise control, collision
avoidance, and autonomous driving features.

6. Meteorology: Used for monitoring weather patterns, detecting severe storms, and tracking
hurricanes or tornadoes.
7. Geology and Remote Sensing: Utilized for geological exploration, studying terrain features,
and mapping the Earth's surface in remote sensing applications.

Speckle.
Speckle; refers to the granular or grainy appearance in radar images caused by interference
patterns when coherent waves, like radar waves, interact with rough surfaces. It appears as a
random pattern of bright and dark spots, making it difficult to interpret or analyze certain
features in radar imagery. Speckle reduction techniques are used to minimize this effect,
enhancing the clarity and usefulness of radar images for interpretation and analysis.

Back scattering.
Back scattering in radar refers to the reflection of radar signals back toward the radar system.
When radar waves encounter an object or surface, they can be reflected in various directions.
Backscattering specifically involves the portion of these waves that are directed back toward the
radar system.

The amount of backscattering depends on the properties of the surface or object the radar waves
encounter. Different materials and surface structures can cause radar waves to scatter in different
ways. Understanding backscattering helps radar systems detect and interpret the presence,
characteristics, and composition of objects or surfaces based on the strength and pattern of the
returned radar signals.

Side looking airborne radar

Side looking airborne radar (SLAR) is a type of radar system mounted on an aircraft that emits
radar pulses at an angle to the direction of flight. Instead of pointing directly downward (like
some other radar systems), SLAR emits pulses to the side of the aircraft.

SLAR systems capture data by scanning the terrain or objects on the ground at an angle
perpendicular to the flight path. This angle allows for imaging a strip of the Earth's surface to the
side of the aircraft, providing a wide swath of coverage. As the aircraft moves forward, the radar
continuously gathers data, creating a series of images that can be used for mapping terrain,
monitoring changes in land use, detecting objects, and conducting surveillance. SLAR
technology is valuable in various fields including cartography, environmental monitoring,
agriculture, and defense.

Synthetic Aperture Radar

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a type of radar imaging technology that creates high-
resolution, two-dimensional images of the Earth's surface. SAR systems are often mounted on
satellites or aircraft.

Instead of relying on a physically large antenna to create high-resolution images, SAR achieves
this by using the motion of the radar antenna (either on a moving platform like a satellite or by
movement in an aircraft) to simulate a large antenna aperture electronically. It does this by
combining the radar echoes received at different points along the platform's path.

This synthetic aperture created by the movement enables SAR to generate detailed images with
fine resolution, allowing for applications such as terrain mapping, monitoring environmental
changes, detecting surface movements, analyzing urban areas, and even identifying objects on
the ground irrespective of weather or lighting conditions. SAR technology is particularly useful
in remote sensing and has diverse applications in various fields including geology, agriculture,
forestry, and disaster monitoring.

Radiometer
A radiometer is a device used for measuring electromagnetic radiation across various
wavelengths or portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. It detects and measures the intensity of
radiation in specific frequency bands.

In remote sensing, radiometers are instruments that capture and quantify radiation emitted or
reflected by the Earth's surface or atmosphere. They can be used in different spectral ranges,
such as visible, infrared, or microwave, to gather information about temperature, moisture
content, vegetation health, and other environmental characteristics.

Radiometers are crucial in weather forecasting, climate studies, and environmental monitoring.
They come in various types, each specialized for specific wavelengths or purposes, providing
valuable data for scientific research and practical applications.
Geometrical characteristics.
The geometrical characteristics of radar involve various parameters that influence how radar
interacts with targets and the resulting radar observations. Some key geometrical characteristics
include:

1. Incidence Angle: This is the angle between the radar beam and the normal (perpendicular) to
the target surface. It affects how much radar energy is reflected back to the radar system.

2. Look Angle: Also known as the observation angle, it's the angle between the radar line-of-
sight and the horizontal plane. It impacts the area of coverage and resolution in radar imagery.

3. Azimuth and Range Resolution: Azimuth resolution refers to the ability of radar to
distinguish between two targets in the horizontal direction, while range resolution refers to the
ability to distinguish between two targets along the radar line-of-sight.

4. Aspect Angle: The angle between the radar beam and the target's orientation or shape. It
influences the strength of the returned radar signal and can affect the observed radar
characteristics of the target.

5. Polarization: Refers to the orientation of the electromagnetic wave's electric field concerning
the Earth's surface. Different polarizations offer varying information about the target's properties
and surface characteristics.

6. Swath Width: The width of the ground area covered by the radar beam. It depends on the
antenna beamwidth and altitude of the radar platform.

These characteristics play a crucial role in determining how radar interacts with targets, the
quality of radar images, and the information obtained from radar observations. Adjusting these
parameters can optimize radar performance for different applications and target types.