Estimating the impact of the ionosphere on space-based SAR autofocus using GPS signals

C. Mannix; D. P. Belcher; P. S. Cannon

doi:10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6929768

Estimating the impact of the ionosphere on space-based SAR autofocus using GPS signals

C. Mannix^*, D. P. Belcher, P. S. Cannon

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Low-frequency space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can suffer from the degrading effects of a scintillating ionosphere, which modulates both the phase and amplitude of the radar signal. In this paper, we use the received signal from GNSS receivers to simulate the effect of the ionosphere on a point target. The process for transforming the one-way GNSS signal, which contains a variety of signal biases and geometric factors, is described. Data recorded on Ascension Island during scintillation events is then used to determine the peak to sidelobe ratio (PSLR) that would be obtained from a SAR. A phase correction is applied to one GNSS receiver using another located along a magnetic east-west baseline. It is shown that this improves the SAR point spread function (PSF) and the variation with baseline distance is illustrated. It is concluded that, up to a baseline distance of at least 2305 m, the phase correction improves the focus.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	2014 31th URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, URSI GASS 2014
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
ISBN (Print)	9781467352253
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6929768
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2014
Event	31st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science, URSI GASS 2014 - Beijing, China Duration: 16 Aug 2014 → 23 Aug 2014

Conference

Conference	31st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science, URSI GASS 2014
Country/Territory	China
City	Beijing
Period	16/08/14 → 23/08/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Computer Networks and Communications

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10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6929768Licence: None: All rights reserved

Analytic Descriptions of the Lonospheric Impact on Space-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar
Cannon, P.
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council
8/03/11 → 7/09/14
Project: Research Councils

Cite this

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title = "Estimating the impact of the ionosphere on space-based SAR autofocus using GPS signals",

abstract = "Low-frequency space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can suffer from the degrading effects of a scintillating ionosphere, which modulates both the phase and amplitude of the radar signal. In this paper, we use the received signal from GNSS receivers to simulate the effect of the ionosphere on a point target. The process for transforming the one-way GNSS signal, which contains a variety of signal biases and geometric factors, is described. Data recorded on Ascension Island during scintillation events is then used to determine the peak to sidelobe ratio (PSLR) that would be obtained from a SAR. A phase correction is applied to one GNSS receiver using another located along a magnetic east-west baseline. It is shown that this improves the SAR point spread function (PSF) and the variation with baseline distance is illustrated. It is concluded that, up to a baseline distance of at least 2305 m, the phase correction improves the focus.",

author = "C. Mannix and Belcher, {D. P.} and Cannon, {P. S.}",

year = "2014",

month = jan,

day = "1",

doi = "10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6929768",

language = "English",

isbn = "9781467352253",

booktitle = "2014 31th URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, URSI GASS 2014",

publisher = "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)",

note = "31st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science, URSI GASS 2014 ; Conference date: 16-08-2014 Through 23-08-2014",

}

Mannix, C, Belcher, DP & Cannon, PS 2014, Estimating the impact of the ionosphere on space-based SAR autofocus using GPS signals. in 2014 31th URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, URSI GASS 2014., 6929768, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 31st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science, URSI GASS 2014, Beijing, China, 16/08/14. https://doi.org/10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6929768

TY - GEN

T1 - Estimating the impact of the ionosphere on space-based SAR autofocus using GPS signals

AU - Mannix, C.

AU - Belcher, D. P.

AU - Cannon, P. S.

PY - 2014/1/1

Y1 - 2014/1/1

N2 - Low-frequency space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can suffer from the degrading effects of a scintillating ionosphere, which modulates both the phase and amplitude of the radar signal. In this paper, we use the received signal from GNSS receivers to simulate the effect of the ionosphere on a point target. The process for transforming the one-way GNSS signal, which contains a variety of signal biases and geometric factors, is described. Data recorded on Ascension Island during scintillation events is then used to determine the peak to sidelobe ratio (PSLR) that would be obtained from a SAR. A phase correction is applied to one GNSS receiver using another located along a magnetic east-west baseline. It is shown that this improves the SAR point spread function (PSF) and the variation with baseline distance is illustrated. It is concluded that, up to a baseline distance of at least 2305 m, the phase correction improves the focus.

AB - Low-frequency space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) can suffer from the degrading effects of a scintillating ionosphere, which modulates both the phase and amplitude of the radar signal. In this paper, we use the received signal from GNSS receivers to simulate the effect of the ionosphere on a point target. The process for transforming the one-way GNSS signal, which contains a variety of signal biases and geometric factors, is described. Data recorded on Ascension Island during scintillation events is then used to determine the peak to sidelobe ratio (PSLR) that would be obtained from a SAR. A phase correction is applied to one GNSS receiver using another located along a magnetic east-west baseline. It is shown that this improves the SAR point spread function (PSF) and the variation with baseline distance is illustrated. It is concluded that, up to a baseline distance of at least 2305 m, the phase correction improves the focus.

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U2 - 10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6929768

DO - 10.1109/URSIGASS.2014.6929768

M3 - Conference contribution

AN - SCOPUS:84919723890

SN - 9781467352253

BT - 2014 31th URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, URSI GASS 2014

PB - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)

T2 - 31st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science, URSI GASS 2014

Y2 - 16 August 2014 through 23 August 2014

ER -

Estimating the impact of the ionosphere on space-based SAR autofocus using GPS signals

Abstract

Conference

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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Analytic Descriptions of the Lonospheric Impact on Space-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar

Cite this