Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has been identified as a good candidate to provide high-resolution soil moisture information over extended areas. SAR data could be used as observations within a global Data Assimilation (DA) approach to benefit applications such as hydrology and agriculture. Prior to developing an operational DA system, one must tackle the following challenges of soil moisture estimation with SAR: (1) the dependency of the measured radar signal on both soil moisture and soil surface roughness which leads to an ill-conditioned inverse problem, and (2) the difficulty in characterizing spatially/temporally surface roughness of natural soils and its scattering contribution. The objectives of this project are (1) to develop a roughness measurement method to improve the spatial/temporal characterization of soil surface roughness, and (2) to investigate to what extent the inverse problem can be solved by combining multipolarization, multi-incidence, and/or multi-frequency radar measurements. The first objective is achieved with a measurement method based on Structure from Motion (SfM). It is tailored to monitor natural surface roughness changes which have often been assumed negligible although without evidence. The measurement method is flexible, a.ordable, straightforward and generates Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) for a SAR-pixel-size plot with mm accuracy. A new processing method based on band-filtering of the DEM and its 2D Power Spectral Density (PSD) is proposed to compute the classical roughness parameters. Time series of DEMs show that non-negligible changes in surface roughness can happen within two months at scales relevant for microwave scattering. The second objective is achieved using maximum likelihood fitting of the Oh backscattering model to (1) full-polarimetric Radarsat-2 data and (2) simulated multi-polarization / multi-incidence / multi-frequency radar data. Model fitting with the Radarsat-2 images leads to poor soil moisture retrieval which is related to inaccuracy of the Oh model. Model fitting with the simulated data quantifies the amount of multilooking for di.erent combinations of measurements needed to mitigate the critical e.ect of speckle on soil moisture uncertainty. Results also suggest that dual-polarization measurements at L- and C-bands are a promising combination to achieve the observation requirements of soil moisture. In conclusion, the SfM method along with the recommended processing techniques are good candidates to improve the characterization of surface roughness. A combination of multi-polarization and multi-frequency radar measurements appears to be a robust basis for a future Data Assimilation system for global soil moisture monitoring.

Les radars à synthèse d'ouverture (SAR) spatioportés ont fait la preuve de leur valeur inestimable dans l'observation des vents et des vagues océaniques mondiaux. Les images SAR acquises par plusieurs capteurs sont utilisées, notamment Sentinel-1 (S-1), Envisat/ASAR, Gaofen-3 et Radarsat-2. Cette thèse passe en revue les paramètres SAR couramment utilisés dans la première partie. Une série d'étapes d'étalonnage sont nécessaires pour obtenir un NRCS approprié et une évaluation du NRCS est effectuée pour le mode d'onde S-1 (WV). Il s'avère que WV est mal calibré et est donc recalibré pour obtenir un NRCS précis. Il a été démontré que la coupure de l'azimut est complémentaire du NRCS et peut expliquer l'impact de l'état de la mer sur l'extraction du vent. D'après les produits SAR entièrement polarimétriques disponibles, la coupure de l'azimut varie considérablement en fonction des polarisations. La transformation actuelle de la cartographie SAR est suffisante pour interpréter la coupure azimutale copolarisée, mais pas pour la polarisation croisée. Compte tenu des limites de l'imagerie SAR, un nouveau paramètre est proposé et défini en fonction du spectre croisé de l'image SAR, appelé MACS. La partie imaginaire de MACS est une quantité signée par rapport à la direction du vent. Compte tenu de cette dépendance, on s'attend à ce qu'un algorithme indépendant de récupération du vent en bénéficie. L'ampleur du MACS peut aider à estimer la fonction de modulation de la cartographie SAR. De plus, la MACS donne également des résultats prometteurs en ce qui concerne les études globales sur les vagues. Les signatures globales du MACS à différentes longueurs d'onde sont bien représentatives de la distribution spatiale et saisonnière des vents. Les MACS des vagues longues montrent des valeurs plus élevées sur les trajectoires des tempêtes alors que les vagues plus courtes sont principalement dans les vents des trader. Ces résultats devraient aider à évaluer les résultats du modèle et compléter les études ultérieures sur le climat spectral global des vagues. / Spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) has been demonstrated invaluable in observing the global ocean winds and waves. SAR images acquired by multiple sensors are employed, including Sentinel-1(S-1), Envisat/ASAR, Gaofen-3 and Radarsat-2. This thesis reviews the commonly used SAR parameters (NRCS and azimuth cutoff) in the first part. A series of calibration steps are required to obtain a proper NRCS and assessment of NRCS is carried out for S-1wave mode (WV). It turns out that WV is poorly calibrated and is thus re-calibrated to obtain accurate NRCS. Azimuth cut off is demonstrated to be complementary to NRCS and can account for the sea state impact on the wind retrieval. Based on the available fully polarimetric SAR products, azimuth cut off is found to vary greatly with polarizations. The present SAR mapping transformation is sufficient to interpret the co-polarized azimuth cut off, while not for the cross-polarization. With the limitations of SAR imaging in mind, a new parameter is proposed and defined based on the SAR image cross-spectra, termed as MACS. The imaginary part of MACS is found to be a signed quantity relative to the wind direction. Given this dependence, an independent wind retrieval algorithm is expected to benefit. The magnitude of MACS is able to aid for estimate of modulation function of SAR mapping. In addition, MACS also gives promising results regarding the global wave studies. The global signatures of MACS at various wave lengths are well representative of the winds distributions, spatially and seasonally. MACS of long waves shows greater values over the storm tracks while the shorter waves are mostly within the trader winds. These results are expected to help evaluate the model outputs and complement further studies of the global wave spectral climate. Data continuity in the coming 10 years shall extend the study towards longer duration.

Cheng, Shilai. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 138-150). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

abstract: Motion estimation is a core task in computer vision and many applications utilize optical flow methods as fundamental tools to analyze motion in images and videos. Optical flow is the apparent motion of objects in image sequences that results from relative motion between the objects and the imaging perspective. Today, optical flow fields are utilized to solve problems in various areas such as object detection and tracking, interpolation, visual odometry, etc. In this dissertation, three problems from different areas of computer vision and the solutions that make use of modified optical flow methods are explained. The contributions of this dissertation are approaches and frameworks that introduce i) a new optical flow-based interpolation method to achieve minimally divergent velocimetry data, ii) a framework that improves the accuracy of change detection algorithms in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images, and iii) a set of new methods to integrate Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1HMRSI) data into threedimensional (3D) neuronavigation systems for tumor biopsies. In the first application an optical flow-based approach for the interpolation of minimally divergent velocimetry data is proposed. The velocimetry data of incompressible fluids contain signals that describe the flow velocity. The approach uses the additional flow velocity information to guide the interpolation process towards reduced divergence in the interpolated data. In the second application a framework that mainly consists of optical flow methods and other image processing and computer vision techniques to improve object extraction from synthetic aperture radar images is proposed. The proposed framework is used for distinguishing between actual motion and detected motion due to misregistration in SAR image sets and it can lead to more accurate and meaningful change detection and improve object extraction from a SAR datasets. In the third application a set of new methods that aim to improve upon the current state-of-the-art in neuronavigation through the use of detailed three-dimensional (3D) 1H-MRSI data are proposed. The result is a progressive form of online MRSI-guided neuronavigation that is demonstrated through phantom validation and clinical application. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Electrical Engineering 2018

The goal of this Master’s thesis is to develop a more realistic simulation of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) that has the ability to image detailed targets, and that can be used for Automatic Target Recognition (ATR). This thesis project is part of ongoing SAR ATR research at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) sponsored by Raytheon Space & Airborne Systems and supervised by Dr. John Saghri. SAR is a form of radar that takes advantage of the forward motion of an antenna mounted on a moving platform (such as an airplane or spacecraft) to synthetically produce the effect of a longer antenna. Since most SAR images used for military ATR are classified and not available to the general public, all academic research to date on ATR has been limited to a small data set of Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition Radar (MSTAR) images. Due to the unavailability of radar equipment or a greater range of SAR data, it has been necessary to create a SAR image generation scheme in which the parameters of the radar platform can be directly modified and controlled to be used for ATR applications. This thesis project focuses on making several improvements to Matthew Schlutz’s ‘Synthetic Aperture Radar Imaging Simulated in Matlab’ thesis. First, the simulation is optimized by porting the antenna pattern and echo generator from Matlab to C++, and the efficiency of the code is improved to reduced processing time. A three-dimensional (3-D) graphics application called Blender is used to create and position the target models in the scene imaged by the radar platform and to give altitude, target range (range of closest approach from the platform to the center area of the target) and elevation angle information to the radar platform. Blender allows the user to take pictures of the target as seen from the radar platform, and outputs range information from the radar platform plane to each point in the image. One of the major advantages of using Blender is that it also outputs range and reflectivity information about each pixel in the image. This is a significant characteristic that was hardcoded in the previous theses, making those simulations less realistic. For this thesis project, once the target scene is created in Blender, an image is rendered and saved as an OpenEXR file. The image is rendered in orthographic mode, which is a form of projection whereby the target plane is parallel with the projection plane. This parameter means that the simulation cannot image point targets that appear and disappear during the platform motion. The echo generation program then uses the range and reflectivity obtained from the OpenEXR file, the optimized antenna pattern, and several other user defined parameters to create the echo (received signal). Once the echo is created in the echo generation program, it is then read into Matlab in order for it to go through the Range Doppler Algorithm (RDA) and then output the final SAR image.

Terahertz (THz) wavelengths have attracted recent interest in multiple disciplines within engineering and science. Situated between the infrared and the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum, THz energy can propagate through non-polar materials such as clothing or packaging layers. Moreover, many chemical compounds, including explosives and many drugs, reveal strong absorption signatures in the THz range. For these reasons, THz wavelengths have great potential for non-destructive evaluation and explosive detection. Three-dimensional (3-D) reflection imaging with considerable depth resolution is also possible using pulsed THz systems. While THz imaging (especially 3-D) systems typically operate in transmission mode, reflection offers the most practical configuration for standoff detection, especially for objects with high water content (like human tissue) which are opaque at THz frequencies. In this research, reflection-based THz synthetic-aperture (SA) imaging is investigated as a potential imaging solution. THz SA imaging results presented in this dissertation are unique in that a 2-D planar synthetic array was used to generate a 3-D image without relying on a narrow time-window for depth isolation [1]. Novel THz chemical detection techniques are developed and combined with broadband THz SA capabilities to provide concurrent 3-D spectral imaging. All algorithms are tested with various objects and pressed pellets using a pulsed THz time-domain system in the Northwest Electromagnetics and Acoustics Research Laboratory (NEAR-Lab).

Although remotely sensed data have been employed to assess various environmental problems, relatively few previous studies have focused on the impacts of mining. In Indonesia, mining activities have increasingly become one of major drivers of land cover change. The majority of remote sensing research projects on mining environments have exploited optical data which are frequently complicated by tmospheric disturbance, especially in tropical territories. Active remote sensors such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) are invaluable in this case. Monitoring by Independent SAR data has been limited due to single polarisation. Dual-polarised data have been employed considerably, although for some forestry applications the data were found insufficient to retrieve basic information. This Masters thesis is devoted to assess fully polarimetric SAR data for environmental monitoring of the tailings deposition zone of the PT Freeport Indonesia Grasberg mine in Papua, Indonesia. The main data were two granules of the AIRSAR datasets acquired during the PACRIM-II campaign. To support the interpretation and analysis, a scene of Landsat ETM February 2001) was used, juxtaposed with classified aerial photographs and a series of SPOT VEGETATION images. Both backscattering information and complex coherence matrices, as common representations of polarimetric data, were studied. Primary applications of this research were on degraded forest and environmental rehabilitation. Most parts of Indonesian forests have experienced abrupt changes as an impact of clear-cut deforestation. Gradual changes such as those due to fire or flooded tailings, however, are least studied. It was shown that the Cloude-Pottier polarimetric decomposition provided a convenient way to interpret various stages of forest disturbance. The result suggested that the Entropy parameter of the Cloude-Pottier decomposition could be used as a disturbance indicator. Using the fully polarimetric dataset combined with Support Vector Machine learning, the outcomes were generally acceptable. It was possible to improve classification accuracy by incorporating decomposition parameters, although it seemed insignificant. Land rehabilitation on tailings deposits has been a central concern of the government and the mining operator. Indigenous plant pioneers such as reeds (Phragmites) can naturally grow on dry tailings where soil structure is fairly well developed. To assist such efforts, a part of this research involved identification of dry tailings. On the first assessment, interpretation of surface scatterers was aided by polarimetric signatures. Apparently, longer wavelengths such as L- and P-band were overpenetrated; hence, growing reeds on dry tailings were less detectable. In this case, the use of C-band data was found fairly robust. Employing Mahalanobis statistics, the combination of HH and VV performed well on classification, having similar accuracy with quad polarimetric data. Extension on previous results was made through the Freeman-Durden decomposition. Interpretation using a three-component image of odd, even bounce and volume scattering showed that dry and wet tailings could be well distinguished. The application was benefited from unique responses of dielectric materials in the tailings deposit on SAR signals; hence it is possible to discriminate tailings with different moisture levels. However, further assessment of tailings moisture was not possible due to security reasons and access limitations at the study site. Fully polarimetric data were also employed to support rehabilitation of stressed mangrove forest on the southern coast. In this case, the Cloude-Pottier decomposition was employed along with textural parameters. Inclusion of textural properties was found invaluable for the classification using various statistical trees, and more important than decomposition parameters. It was concluded that incorporating polarimetric decompositions and textural parameters into coherence matrix leads to profound accuracy.

"November 2004" / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 283-293) / xxix, 293 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 2004

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 132-144).

57 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images were collected over the Mid-Atlantic Bight (MAB) during the Shallow Water 2006 experiment (SW06). The dependence of internal wave (IW) signature occurrences and types in SAR images on the wind conditions is studied. A defined signature mode parameter (S sub m ) quantifies the signature of the IW intensity profile in relation to the mean backscatter in the image background to determine different IW types (single positive, single negative and double sign). The statistical results show that moderate wind speeds of 4-7 m/s are favorable for imaging IWs by SAR, whereas very few IW signatures are observed when the wind speed is higher than 10 m/s and lower than 2 m/s. Many S sub m values are larger than 1 (positive signature) even when the angles between the wind direction and IW propagation direction (theta sub Wind-IW) are less than in the MAB, which does not agree with the result of da Silva et al. (2002). An advanced radar imaging model has been run for different wind conditions, radar look directions and IW amplitudes. The model results indicate that the proportion of S sub m values larger than 1, when theta sub Wind-IW < 90 degree , increases with IW amplitudes. In general, relating IW signature types mainly to the wind direction is an oversimplification without considering other factors such as look directions and IW amplitudes. An IW interaction pattern has been studied on the basis of two sequential images from ERS2 and ENVISAT with a time lag of 28 minutes and temperature and current measurements from moorings. Phase velocities of the pattern can be derived by two-dimensional cross correlation of two images or in-situ measurements. In this pattern, the IW packet with a larger amplitude shifts less while the one with a smaller amplitude shifts more due to the interaction. The strong intensity in the interaction zone implies an amplitude increase. The intensity changes in the same IW packet after the interaction implies the energy exchange. All the characteristics agree well with the dynamics of the two-soliton pattern with a negative phase shift, according to Peterson and van Groesen (2000).