Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Processing of ocean wave data from a synthetic aperture radar

  • Published:
Boundary-Layer Meteorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The usual operation of a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) assumes that the sensor platform moves at a constant velocity along a straight line and that objects to be imaged are stationary. Moving ocean waves perturb the Doppler frequencies in the SAR phase histories, and when processed in a conventional manner, they produce images of waves that are dispersed and thus defocused in the azimuth (along-track) direction. This defocusing can be compensated in the processor by readjusting the azimuth focus by an amount proportional to the velocity of the wave.

The relationship among the parameters of the radar system, the SAR processor, and the relative target velocity is, theoretically determined for radars that operate at both X- and L-band frequencies. Experimental observations support these calculations. The effect of varying spectrum sampling, range focus, and number of coherent averages or looks is also observed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brown, W. M. and Porcello, L. J.: 1969, ‘An Introduction to Synthetic Aperture Radar’,IEEE Spectrum 6, 57–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, J. W.: 1968,Introduction to Fourier Optics, McGraw-Hill, New York, p. 192.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harger, R. O.: 1970,Synthetic Aperture Radar Systems, Academic Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kozma, A., Leith, E. N., and Massey, N. G.: 1972, ‘Tilted Plane Optical Processor’,Appl. Opt. 11, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  • Larson, T. R., Moskowitz, L. I., and Wright, J. W.: 1976, ‘A Note on SAR Imagery of the Oceans’,IEEE Trans. Antenna Propagation AP-24, No. 3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Porcello, L. J., Massey, N. G., Innes, R. B., and Marks, J. M.: 1976 ‘Speckle Reduction in Synthetic Aperture Radars’,J. Opt. Soc. 66, 1305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raney, R. K.: 1971, ‘Synthetic Aperture Imaging Radar and Moving Targets’,IEEE Trans. Aerospace Electronic Systems AES-7, 499.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rawson, R., Smith, F., and Larson, R.: 1975, ‘The ERIM Simultaneous X- and L-Band Dual Polarized Radar’,Proc. of IEEE 1975 International Radar Conference, New York, p. 505.

  • Shemdin, O., Brown, W. E., Staudhammer, F. G., Shuchman, R. A., Rawson, R. F., Zelenka, J. S., Ross, D. B., McLeish, W., and Berles, R. A.: 1978, Comparison ofin situ and Remotely Sensed Ocean Waves off Marineland, Florida, this volume, pp. 193–202.

  • Shuman, R. A., Rawson, R. F., and Kasischke, E. S.: ‘Analysis of Synthetic Aperture Radar Ocean Wave Data Collected at Marineland and Georges Bank’, ERIM Final Report 123000-11-F, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM), P.O. Box 8618, 48107, Ann Arbor, Mich., USA

    R. A. Shuchman & J. S. Zelenka

  2. Science Applications Incorporated, Tucson, Ariz., USA

    J. S. Zelenka

Authors
  1. R. A. Shuchman
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. S. Zelenka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Shuchman, R.A., Zelenka, J.S. Processing of ocean wave data from a synthetic aperture radar. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 13, 181–191 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913870

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00913870

Keywords

Search

Navigation