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Electromagnetic radiation at long wavelengths (0.1 to 30 centimeters) falls into a segment of the spectrum commonly called the microwave region. At still longer wavelengths (centimeters to meters) the radiation is known as radio waves (these can be generated by manmade transmitters or occur naturally [e.g., beamed from energetic stars]). Remote sensing has utilized passive microwaves, emanating from thermally activated bodies. But, in much more common use (since World War II) is another manmade device, radar, an active (transmitter-produced) microwave system that sends out radiation, some of which is reflected back to a receiver. The varying signal, which changes with the positions and shapes of target bodies, and is influenced by their properties, can be used to form kinds of images that superficially resemble those recorded by Landsat-like sensors. This first page introduces certain basic principles, described the common radar bands in use, and shows a typical radar image.

## RADAR AND MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING*

### Radar Defined

Radar is an acronym for Radio Detection and Ranging. It operates in part of the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, specifically in the frequency interval from 40,000 to 300 megahertz (MHz). The latter frequency extends into the higher frequencies of the broadcast-radio region. Commonly used frequencies and their corresponding wavelengths are specified by a band nomenclature, as follows:

- Ka Band: Frequncy 40,000-26,000 MHz; Wavelength (0.8-1.1 cm)

- K Band: 26,500-18,500 MHz; (1.1-1.7 cm)

- X Band: 12,500-8,000 MHz; (2.4-3.8 cm)

- C Band: 8,000-4,000 MHz; (3.8-7.5 cm)

- L Band: 2,000-1,000 MHz; (15.0-30.0 cm)

- P Band: 1,000- 300 MHz; (30.0-100.0 cm)

Unlike other sensors that passively sense radiation from targets illuminated by the Sun or thermal sources, radar generates its own illumination (hence, it is active; another example is the flash camera) by sending bursts or pulses of EM energy that reflect off of a target. A fraction of the reflected energy then returns to the radar’s receiving antenna, which collects it and passes it to the electronic system. Thus, a radar system is a ranging device that measures distances as a function of round trip travel times (at light speed) of a directed beam of pulses (the signal, whose strength is measured in decibels, dB) spread out over specific distances. In this way radar determines the direction and distance from the instrument (fixed or moving) to an energy-scattering object. We can also derive information about target shapes and certain diagnostic physical properties of materials at and just below the surface by analyzing signal modifications.

8-1: In the Introduction, you learned that wavelength x frequency = the speed of light. By choosing the proper units, this equation can be derived: Wavelength (in cm) = 30/frequency (in GHz or 109cycles per second. Given a frequency of 20 GHz, what Wave Band would this radar pulse fall into? ANSWER

By supplying its own illumination, radar can function day and night and, for some wavelengths, without significant interference from blocking atmospheric conditions (e.g., clouds). These characteristics prompted radar development in World War II for tracking aircraft and ships. Ground (fixed) and airborne (mobile) radar systems are used extensively today for marine navigation and air traffic control. Imaging radar, mounted on air or space platforms, has proven especially useful in mapping cloud-shrouded land surfaces (a landforms map of Panama used this approach). This use also permits expressing surface shapes in regions heavily covered by vegetation (penetrated by some bands).

8-2:Why did radar play such a vital role in the Allies' victory over Germany in World War II? ANSWER

This ability to mirror ground surfaces for displaying topography is a prime use of radars, which operate on moving platforms. This usefulness is strikingly confirmed in the radar image strip (SIR-A system on the Shuttle) that we show here, extending 300 km (200 mi ) to the northeast (right side) across the folded and dissected South American Andes in Bolivia. The image covers from the high plains (Altiplano) on the west to the lowlands (Amazon Basin) on the east. (Scroll to see this right end.)

8-3: Care to guess why the Low plains are dark and the High (Alti) plains are light.

Radar systems, as well as passive sensors operating at microwave wavelengths (slightly shorter than radar), are also effective in detecting soil moisture and sea states.

* This unit is adapted and expanded from the section on Radar Systems (pp. 367- 374) in the Landsat Tutorial Workbook, NASA RP 1078, 1982. For an excellent, up-to-date review of Imaging Radar Technology, covering both air and space systems, click on the NASA JPL Radar Page

Primary Author: Nicholas M. Short, Sr. email: nmshort@ptd.net

Collaborators: Code 935 NASA GSFC, GST, USAF Academy
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