Propagation Factors Affecting Remote Sensing by Radio Waves.

• Other Authors: ADVISORY GROUP FOR AEROSPACE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE (FRANCE)
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1983
• Subjects: Information Science; Active & Passive Radar Detection & Equipment; Radiofrequency Wave Propagation; *Remote detectors; *Electromagnetic wave propagation; *Target detection; *Search radar; *Radar tracking; *Radar mapping; *Symposia; Ionospheric propagation; Sea states; Radio waves; Cost effectiveness; Sea ice; Performance(Engineering); Adaptive systems; Propagation; Wake detectors; NATO; Manmade; Reliability; Limitations; Monitoring; Processing; Targets; Measurement; Waves; Ionosphere; Tracking; Detection; Compilation Reports; NATO furnished
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA137559; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA137559

Radiowaves are employed for remote sensing over a wide range of frequencies, at least from HF to 100 GHz, HF radars sense both natural and man-made targets over vast areas by bouncing radio waves off the ionosphere. Development of this means of remote sensing has proceeded since the late forties. Early studies concentrated on the mapping of the properties of the ionosphere itself. Later studies have emphasized two applications: (1) the detection and tracking of targets such as aircraft, missiles and ships; and (2) the measurement of sea state. On-going research and development activities continue to improve our capability to deal with ionospheric properties which limit the performance of our systems. Topics for discussion include: (a) application areas target detection/tracking, sea state monitoring, wind and wave field monitoring, including wake detection, terrain mapping, measurement of sea ice; (b) propagation limitations to performance; and (c) system techniques for ameliorating propagation limitations including adaptive concepts and novel processing concepts. The purpose of this meeting was to review the current status of existing and proposed operational systems from the viewpoint of propagation factors included and strategies for dealing with them. This meeting identified areas in which more research is required to improve the reliability, performance, and cost-effectiveness of operational systems.