Towards Identification of Optimum Radar Parameters for Sea-Ice Monitoring

Abstract Various field experiments have shown that microwave radars can be used to distinguish multi-year from first-year ice, although optimum radar parameters are not yet fully defined. This paper presents the results from two theoretical models that, using selected physical parameters of sea ice,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Glaciology
Main Authors: Kim, Y. S., Moore, R. K., Onstott, R. G., Gogineni, S.
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press (CUP) 1985
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0022143000006523
https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0022143000006523
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Summary:Abstract Various field experiments have shown that microwave radars can be used to distinguish multi-year from first-year ice, although optimum radar parameters are not yet fully defined. This paper presents the results from two theoretical models that, using selected physical parameters of sea ice, are able to predict the backscattering from multi-year and first-year ice under cold conditions. The possible ranges of the backscattering coefficient under various conditions (surface roughness, salinity, temperature, density, and air-bubble size) are calculated for multi-year and first-year ice by adjusting the parameters within the reported range of values. Although the calculations show no specific resonance that would favor any particular frequency or incidence angles, the results confirm the experimental findings that Ku- and X-band frequencies, and incidence angles greater than 30°, are better for distinguishing sea-ice types than lower frequencies.