Implementation of a MMW FM-CW Radar System for Study of Surface Scattering from Freshwater Lake and River Ice Sheets.

摘要

A field-hardened, high-resolution, broadband millimeter wave (26.5 to 40 GHz) Frequency Modulated - Continuous Wave (FM-CW) radar employing real-time data acquisition and digital signal processing (DSP) techniques has been implemented for continuously acquiring and processing data for ice thickness profiling and studying surface scattering from freshwater lake and river ice sheets. Thickness resolution is better than 3 cm + and/or - 10%. System specifications include a 15 dBm output rf power level, a 0.066 second sweep rate and >50 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This radar is capable of operation from ground-mobile platforms and helicopters at heights of up to 7 m above ice surfaces at speeds up to 40 kph. Initial laboratory tests of the system have exhibited results that meet or exceed original design specifications.