Abstract
We developed a portable ultra-wideband radar system capable of reconfigurable operation in multiple frequency bands (separate or simultaneous) spanning from microwaves through millimeter waves. The instrument provides a compact solution for fine-resolution measurements of elevation changes and superficial snow/firn thickness from low-altitude, mid-sized airborne platforms. In this article, we provide an overview of the radar system design and its performance during laboratory testing. We demonstrate its application in aerial surveys of snow layer thickness at S/C bands, dual-band airborne altimetry at Ku-/Ka-bands, and present first-order comparisons with coincident airborne lidar data.
Highlights
Airborne radar systems operating at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies are a key technology for wide-area determination of snow cover thickness, ice-sheet firn density, and superficial topography variations in cold regions
The upcoming Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter (CRISTAL) mission is aimed at providing sea ice thickness retrievals and monitoring ice-sheet surface changes from space [10]
The mission will carry out coincident radar measurements at Ku- and Ka-bands to provide improved spatio-temporal resolution for the monthly quantification of sea ice thickness [11]; and for firn density estimates, which are needed for ice sheet mass-balance assessment and prognosis [12]
Summary
Airborne radar systems operating at microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies are a key technology for wide-area determination of snow cover thickness, ice-sheet firn density, and superficial topography variations in cold regions. The mission will carry out coincident radar measurements at Ku- and Ka-bands to provide improved spatio-temporal resolution for the monthly quantification of sea ice thickness [11]; and for firn density estimates, which are needed for ice sheet mass-balance assessment and prognosis [12]. Satellite-based measurements require validation and ground truth verification via in-situ and airborne sensor investigations, which can provide an independent assessment of snow thickness as well as surface and sub-surface conditions. The operation of multi-ultra-wideband airborne radars requires sub-millisecond sweeps, higher pulse repetition frequencies, and increased data rates. These features became realizable as technology advanced in recent years.
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