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Title: UWB UHF Dual-Polarization Ice-Penetrating Radar: Development and Antarctic Field Test
We present the design and field test results for a 600 to 900 MHz polarimetric ice penetrating radar that can be operated on the ground or from an airborne platform. This system is part of a development to build a dual band (VHF/UHF) polarimetric ice sounding radar suite. The VHF radar operates over 140-215 MHz and is essentially a modified version of the multi-channel 3D imaging system reported in [1]. The UHF radar, the focus of this work, is an adaptation of the CReSIS Accumulation Radar, which operates from 600 to 900 MHz [2]. The radar system uses a custom-designed, dual-polarized 4x4 antenna array with increased peak and average transmit power levels, which together provide additional sensitivity with respect to prior system renditions. The UHF radar incorporates a new receiver [3] that uses controlled analog compression via RF limiters to increase the instantaneous dynamic range. We designed the instrument setup to be towed by snowmobiles and operated at nominal speeds of 4 to 8 m/s. The relatively slow motion helps improve SNR through an increase in coherent averaging due to the longer dwell time. Although the focus of the field test is on ground-based work, the electronics are designed to also support airborne operation.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2027579
PAR ID:
10579258
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;
Publisher / Repository:
IEEE
Date Published:
ISBN:
979-8-3503-2010-7
Page Range / eLocation ID:
48 to 51
Format(s):
Medium: X
Location:
Pasadena, CA, USA
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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