Single reference, three target calibration and error correction formonostatic, polarimetric free space measurements

The authors present a scheme for absolute calibration of a polarimetric scattering range. All free-space polarimetric radar cross section (RCS) and antenna measurements are subject to errors like coupling and residual reflections. The modeling of these errors results in a 12-term error correction. The procedure for the error correction with three linear independent calibration targets and an isolation measurement is shown. Based on network analysis, a single reference calibration is introduced. This single reference calibration requires the precise calculation of only one reference target. As single references, spheres or flat plates are used. The references of the other targets are determined by the calibration procedure. The single reference calibration is suitable for all narrow and wideband, complex, polarimetric RCS, and antenna measurements. Measurements are shown for different targets which demonstrate the benefits of the single reference calibration     

基于标校球的瞬态极化雷达校准方法

理论上瞬态极化雷达可获取动态目标全极化散射特性的精确测量信息,但由于存在极化通道不一致、极化隔离度有限以及背景杂波等非理想因素,其极化测量存在误差,必须进行校准。当前极化校准需要多个定标体,且定标体姿态摆放误差将引起校准偏差。针对上述问题,提出了一种基于标校球的瞬态极化雷达校准新方法,在考虑双天线空域极化特性的基础上,仅需单个金属球即可完成定标,提高了校准精度。该方法为解决制约瞬态极化雷达实际应用的校准难题提供了技术支撑。     

A novel bistatic scattering matrix measurement technique using amonostatic radar

Presents a new technique for measuring the bistatic scattering matrix of point targets using a monostatic radar. In this technique, the complexity of the traditional bistatic measurement setup and difficulties in retaining the phase coherence between the transmitter and the receiver are circumvented completely. The bistatic measurement is performed using a wideband, polarimetric, monostatic radar in conjunction with a rotatable ground plane positioned behind the target. Assuming that the distance between the target and the ground plane is larger than the radar resolution, the desired bistatic response (image contribution) can be isolated from the unwanted backscatter. Noting that the radar operates in the backscatter mode and using the reciprocity theorem, it is shown that the measured cross-polarized responses (σ_vhand σ_hv) cannot be determined uniquely. To rectify this problem, additional independent measurements are required. Additional equations for characterizing the cross-polarized components are obtained by placing an anisotropic lossless slab over the perfectly conducting flat surface. The validity and accuracy of the new bistatic measurement technique is demonstrated by measuring a number of point targets with known theoretical bistatic responses. Also, a new approach for determining the effective dielectric constant of dense random media based on the new bistatic measurement technique is developed     

全极化雷达极化标校技术研究

受各种非理想因素的影响,极化测量雷达难以直接测得目标准确的极化散射矩阵（polarization scattering matrix,PSM）,因此,高精度极化标定是准确获取和利用目标极化信息的基础.本文从极化标校的基本原理出发,建立了PSM测量的误差模型,分析了主要误差因素对PSM测量结果的影响,阐述了无源和有源极化标定方法并对其性能和适用场景进行比较,分析了极化标校器的参数对极化标校精度的影响.分析结果表明,目标的交叉极化分量与极化测量雷达系统的极化隔离度处在相同水平时,目标的交叉极化分量测量结果会明显偏离其真值,通过极化隔离度优于测量系统隔离度无源或有源极化定标体对系统进行标校可以减小系统极化隔离度带来的测量误差.本文工作为极化定标体的研制和全极化测量雷达的系统标校奠定了基础.     

飞机目标全极化双基地散射特性研究

采用成熟的商用电磁计算软件中的快速多层多极子方法计算了全尺寸飞机目标的全空域全极化双基地散射特性数据,统计了全极化双基地RCS起伏特性,指出4种极化双基地RCS的统计特性类似,而单基地共极化和交叉极化RCS存在较大差异;统计了单/双基地极化比的分布特性,发现单/双基地交叉极化与共极化比情况差异较大,而共极化比类似,所得结论为全极化双基地雷达飞机目标探测试验研究提供参考。      

PolInSAR极化误差对最优相干相位的影响研究

极化干涉SAR定量应用中,极化误差会导致最优干涉相位估计误差。该文研究了极化干涉SAR测量处理中极化误差的传递,基于极化相干最优过程理论提出了一个新极化误差传递模型。在此基础上通过仿真验证并分析了极化误差对极化干涉最优干涉相位估计的影响,其结论能为在实际应用中进行精度分析和提出定标指标要求提供理论依据和参考。     

双基地高频地波雷达系统布站研究

由发射机(T)和接收机(Rm)共站的单基地高频地波雷达增设分置的接收系统(Rb)构成的T/Rm-Rb双基地高频地波雷达系统用于海洋环境监测时,既可测得矢量流速度,又可消除风向模糊性,是目前高频地波雷达的发展趋势之一。该文首次从T/Rm-Rb系统的探测能力与海流测量误差两方面分析最佳基线长度和最佳双基地角范围,从而确定其布站原则,即:在确定T/Rm单基地雷达的位置后,先根据T-Rb双基地雷达设计指标中的最大探测距离和确定基线长度,然后根据T/Rm-Rb系统海流测量误差最小的原则确定最佳双基地角范围,从而确定T-Rb双基地雷达接收站Rb的位置。该布站原则可为双(多)基地高频地波雷达的海洋环境监测应用提供参考和依据。     

系统误差对点目标极化散射测量的影响

首先推广了现有极化定标模型。在此基础上，评估了极化通道幅相不平衡、天线串扰、法拉第旋转、指向误差角、干扰和系统环境噪声对点目标全极化散射测量的影响，并考虑科学研究和应用需求对上述参数的约束条件，从而得到对极化合成孔径雷达系统设计和极化定标有参考价值的结论。     

An investigation of bistatic calibration objects

Several popular metallic bistatic calibration objects are investigated, including a sphere, long and short cylinders, dihedral, trihedral, circular disk and wire mesh. Comparisons are made between the advantages and disadvantages of various objects for calibration. The analysis addresses sensitivity to object alignment error, availability of accurate radar cross section (RCS) calculations and bistatic RCS levels. Both theoretical concepts and practical considerations are discussed based on measurements accomplished at the European Microwave Signature Laboratory (EMSL) of the EC Joint Research Center (JRC) in Ispra, Italy. This facility has the capability to produce far-field fully polarimetric precision bistatic measurements in a 30 cm diameter quiet zone, suitable for comparing different calibration objects.     

External calibration of a polarimetric synthetic-aperture radar for a limited number of types of reference reflectors

Capabilities of the external calibration of a polarimetric synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) and the monitoring of the radar parameters under flight conditions for a limited number of types of reference calibration targets are determined. An analytic form of the algorithm for neutralization of SAR hardware distortions in the measurement of the scattering matrix of the observed object is proposed and possibilities for application of this algorithm under the conditions of unrealizable total polarimetric calibration are analyzed. The possibilities of determining the particular calibration parameters and their combinations with the use of one or two reference reflectors are analyzed. It is shown that, in the measurement of the scattering matrix of a reciprocal object, it is sufficient to use two types of reference reflectors.     

Calibration of a polarimetric imaging SAR

Calibration using point targets is discussed. The fourport network calibration technique is used to describe the radar error model. The processor ambiguity function and the radar distortion matrices are combined to form a generalized polarimetric ambiguity function. The polarimetric ambiguity function of the SAR is found using a single point target, namely a trihedral corner reflector. Based on the resultant polarimetric ambiguity function, an estimate for the backscattering coefficient of the terrain is found using a modified version of the single target calibration technique (STCT). A radar image recorded by the JPL aircraft SAR, which includes a variety of point targets, is used for verification of the new calibration method. The calibrated responses of the point targets are compared both with theory and responses based on the POLCAL technique     

收发分置合成孔径雷达的时间同步分析

同步是收发分置合成孔径雷达(SAR)成像的关键。本文建立了考虑时间同步误差的数学模型,进行了相位误差分析,并对点目标的距离压缩和方位压缩特性在不同的时间同步误差下作了仿真。通过仿真,验证了理论分析的正确性,从而为收发分置SAR系统设计中提出正确的时间同步要求提供了理论依据．     

An investigation of bistatic calibration techniques

Several popular bistatic calibration techniques are investigated and comparisons made between the relative merits of the various techniques. The analysis addresses sensitivity to object alignment error, sensitivity to polarization impurity, and ease of implementation. Both theoretical concepts and practical considerations are discussed based on measurements accomplished at the European Microwave Signature Laboratory of the European Commission Joint Research Center, Ispra, Italy. This facility has the capability to produce far-field fully polarimetric precision bistatic measurements in a 30-cm-diameter quiet zone, suitable for comparing different calibration methods.     

Polarimetric calibration of the SIR-C C-band channel using activeradar calibrators and polarization selective dihedrals

A polarimetric calibration experiment of Shuttle Imaging Radar C (SIR-C) is carried out using several different calibration targets. These are C-band polarimetric active radar calibrators (PARCs), polarization selective dihedrals (PSDs), 22.5° rotated dihedrals, and a trihedral. A novel polarimetric calibration algorithm is proposed that combines existing algorithms and uses one PARC and two PSDs. An error evaluation example is shown to estimate the typical hardware error value of the calibration targets allowable for a given calibration error. The novel algorithm gives polarimetric calibration results comparable to those obtained using the existing algorithm for three PARCs. Since PSDs work at frequencies lower than design frequency, and hence can be commonly used at multiple frequency bands, the simple addition of just one more frequency band PARC allows polarimetric calibration of a dual-frequency polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) by means of the proposed algorithm     

Calibrated single-plunge bipolar electrode array for mapping myocardial vector fields in three dimensions during high-voltage transthoracic defibrillation

Mapping of the myocardial scalar electric potential during defibrillation is normally performed with unipolar electrodes connected to voltage dividers and a global potential reference. Unfortunately, vector potential gradients that are calculated from these data tend to exhibit a high sensitivity to measurement errors. This paper presents a calibrated single-plunge bipolar electrode array (EA) that avoids the error sensitivity of unipolar electrodes. The EA is triaxial, uses a local potential reference, and simultaneously measures all three components of the myocardial electric field vector. An electrode spacing of approximately 500 microm allows the EA to be direct-coupled to high-input-impedance, isolated, differential amplifiers and eliminates the need for voltage dividers. Calibration is performed with an electrolytic tank in which an accurately measured, uniform electric field is produced. For each EA, unique calibration matrices are determined which transform potential difference readings from the EA to orthogonal components of the electric field vector. Elements of the matrices are evaluated by least squares multiple regression analysis of data recorded during rotation of the electric field. The design of the electrolytic tank and electrode holder allows the electric field vector to be rotated globally with respect to the electrode axes. The calibration technique corrects for both field perturbation by the plunge electrode body and deviations from orthogonality of the electrode axes. A unique feature of this technique is that it eliminates the need for mechanical measurement of the electrode spacing. During calibration, only angular settings and voltages are recorded. For this study, ten EAs were calibrated and their root-mean-square (rms) errors evaluated. The mean of the vector magnitude rms errors over the set of ten EAs was 0.40% and the standard deviation 0.07%. Calibrated EAs were also tested for multisite mapping in four dogs during high-voltage transthoracic shocks.     

Phase calibration of polarimetric radar images

The problem of phase calibration between polarization channels of an imaging radar is studied. The causes of various types of phase errors due to the radar system architecture and system imperfections are examined. A simple model is introduced to explain the spatial variation in phase error as being due to a displacement between the phase centers of the vertical and horizontal antennas. It is also shown that channel leakage can cause a spatial variation in phase error. Phase calibration using both point and distributed ground targets is discussed and a method for calibrating phase using only distributed target is verified, subject to certain constraints. Experimental measurements using the NADC/ERIM P-3 synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) system and NASA/JPL DC-8 SAR, which operates at C-, L-, and P-bands, are presented. Both of these systems are multifrequency, polarimetric, airborne, SAR systems.<>     

A complete error model for free space polarimetric measurements

The authors present a complete 12-term error model for the systematic errors in polarimetric radar and antenna free space measurements for test range and laboratory use. Errors are induced by the frequency response, the channel imbalance, the coupling between the transmit channels, the coupling between the receive channels, the coupling from transmit to receive and by the residual reflections of the environment. The errors are contained in three 2×2 matrices, the isolation matrix, the transmit matrix and the receive matrix. A full polarimetric calibration with the empty room, a sphere, a vertical dihedral corner and a 45° dihedral corner is proposed. The physical understanding is supported by a cubic signal graph for the error terms     

Stray signal requirements for compact range reflectors based on RCSmeasurement errors

The authors present a performance criterion for compact range reflectors such that their edge diffracted stray signal levels meet a reasonable radar cross section (RCS) measurement error requirement. It is shown by example that one of the significant error sources is the diffracted fields emanating from the edges or junctions of the reflector. This measurement error is demonstrated by placing a diagonal square flat plate in the target zone and rotating it to appropriate angles. These angles are determined by bisecting the plane wave and stray signal directions. This results in a peak bistatic measurement of the edge diffracted stray signal. It is proposed that the diagonal flat plate be used to evaluate new reflector designs as well as existing systems. A reasonable stray signal performance level has been developed so that new reflector systems can be characterized in terms of an RCS measurement error requirement     

MIRAS reference radiometer: a fully polarimetric noise injection radiometer

A prototype reference radiometer for the Microwave Imaging Radiometer Using Aperture Synthesis (MIRAS) instrument of the Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity satellite has been developed. The reference radiometer is an L-band fully polarimetric noise injection radiometer (NIR). The main purposes of the NIR are: 1) to provide precise measurement of the average fully polarimetric brightness temperature scene for absolute calibration of the MIRAS image map and 2) to measure the noise temperature level of the noise distribution network of the MIRAS for individual receiver calibration. The performance of the NIR is a decisive factor of the MIRAS performance. In this paper we present the operation principles and calibration procedures of the NIR, a measurement technique called blind correlation making measurements of full Stokes vector possible with the noise injection method, and finally experimental results verifying certain aspects of the design.