This paper provides a snapshot of a variety of research and development activities concerned with hyperspectral and microwave data calibration and standardization, as well with insitu sensing. These efforts have been undertaken within the framework of the development of advanced geomatics tools that support the sustainable development of natural resources. Keyword: hyperspectral; microwave; radar; in-situ sensing; calibration

In this paper, we briefly preview and demonstrate how the technical improvements included in RADARSAT-2 will impact the system's potential utility for 32 applications in the fields of agriculture, cartography, disaster management, forestry, geology, hydrology, oceans, and sea and land ice.

Mechanical damage incurred from unauthorized third party activities remains a leading cause of onshore oil and gas pipeline failure, indicating the need for effective strategies to monitor encroachment over extensive sections of pipeline right-of-way (ROW). In this paper, the use of polarimetric SAR imagery (as will be available from RADARSAT-2) for pipeline monitoring of encroachment activities is explored. Experimental data were acquired of a test area near the shores of Lake Simcoe (north of Toronto, Ontario) in September 2001 by the C-SAR on board the Convair-580. The vehicle deployments and ground truthing were conducted by C-CORE with processing from signal data (including calibration) and analysis performed at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing

This manuscript presents studies examining the use of C-band polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) systems for the detection of crashed aircraft. The ultimate aim is to assist Search and Rescue in Canada in the location of such targets. Detection methodologies based on the Polarimetric Whitening Filter, Cameron Decomposition, and measures of even bounce contributions to the backscatter have been examined. Tests were performed using imagery of serviceable and crashed aircraft and crashed aircraft parts. Although individual methods make it possible to detect the crashed aircraft, best results for target detection with decreased numbers of false alarms occur when these methods are used in combination.

The use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) provides an opportunity to assist Search and Rescue (SAR) in the location of downed airplanes in particular in the northern areas of Canada. This paper presents results of examining the detection of crashed aircraft targets using airborne SAR data. Considerations for decreasing the number of "false targets" using a combined polarimetric and interferometric analysis have been tested with results indicating. a promising approach for target detection using these SAR techniques.

The use of Synthetic Aperture Radar to assist Search and Rescue in the location of downed airplanes is being explored in studies at Natural Resources Canada (Canada Centre for Remote Sensing). Test imagery in polarimetric mode is being acquired by the C-SAR on board the Environment Canada Convair-580. This paper discusses algorithm studies and recent results.

Radar Polarimetry, Radar Interferometry and Polarimetric SAR Interferometry represent the current culmination in 'Microwave Remote Sensing' technology, but we still need to progress very considerably in order to reach the limits of physical realizability. Whereas with radar polarimetry the textural fine-structure, target orientation, symmetries and material constituents can be recovered with considerable improvement above that of standard 'amplitude-only' radar; by implementing 'radar interferometry' the spatial (in depth) structure can be explored. With Polarimetric Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (POL-IN-SAR) imaging, it is possible to recover such co-registered textural and spatial information from POL-IN-SAR digital image data sets simultaneously, including the extraction of Digital Elevation Maps (DEM) from either Polarimetric (scattering matrix) or Interferometric (dual antenna) SAR systems. Simultaneous Polarimetric-plus-Interferometric SAR Imaging offers the additional benefit of obtaining co-registered textural-plus-spatial three-dimensional POL-IN-DEM information, which when applied to Repeat-Pass Image-Overlay Interferometry provides differential background validation and environmental stress-change information with highly improved accuracy. Then, by either designing multiple dual polarization antenna POL-IN-SAR systems or by applying advanced POL-IN-SAR image compression techniques, will result in 'POL-arimetric TOMO-graphic' (Multi-Interferometric) SAR or POL-TOMO-SAR imaging.

This paper summarizes some results of studies at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing (CCRS) using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery from spaceborne systems for the detection of crashed aircraft. Studies have been carried out using intensity values only and interferometric methods (using complex image pairs). Change detection using interferometric coherence is particularly promising. The relative size of crashed aircraft and the low resolution of single-polarization, single-frequency spaceborne SAR imagery (approximately 9 m ground resolution being the best currently available from operational remote sensing satellites) have been found to limit the use of such imagery, although the techniques themselves show promise. Further study is needed to examine if the better resolutions that will be available from future systems such as RADARSAT-2 make possible the reliable detection of crashed aircraft using the methods examined here.

RESUME Preliminary results are presented from the alternating polarization (AP) mode of the ASAR instrument on ENVISAT. ENVISAT is the first operational satellite offering synthetic aperture radar with a choice of polarization. Launched in March 2002, the first AP mode data provided for our investigation was from May 21, 2002 and was followed by a series of 16 products dating to August 28. In this preliminary review, results from beams IS2 and IS7 are shown for two locations in Canada: one near Ottawa and one from the high arctic in the vicinity of Resolute. In both sites, precision transponders (RPTs), originally designed to support RADARSAT-1, offer measurements of a number of ground reception parameters including azimuth antenna pattern, flux density, and detected chirp characteristics. These are tabulated for example scenes. Products examined include APS, APM, and APP. Polarizations include HH/VV and HH/HV combinations. In general, results are very encouraging from many perspectives, image quality is better than the mission requirement, and SNR is considerably better than the specification.

The Canadian earth observation satellite, RADARSAT-1 was launched on November 4, 1995 with the first image acquired on November 28 of that year. After commissioning it was put into routine operation on April 1, 1996. Since then more than four years of successful operation have been completed, utilizing data for their intended applications. Significant effort has been extended in the provision of radiometrically and geometrically calibrated products to users by the Canadian Data Processing Facility (CDPF). Particular emphasis has been on the maintenance of image quality and calibration as monitored using images of the Amazon Rainforest and of the RADARSAT-1 Precision Transponders (RPT). This first part of the paper will review the image quality and calibration evolution of RADARSAT-1, complementing previously presented reviews on this subject. Data will be given on various image quality parameters related to impulse response, location error, antenna pattern and noise equivalent measures, and on calibration accuracy as achieved to date. Recent work on calibration and image quality improvements for ScanSAR products are also presented. The latter part of the paper describes methodologies developed for maintenance of radiometric calibration performance of RADARSAT-1, including a statistical technique useful for early detection of radiometric problems associated with single calibrated beams.

To date, satellite SAR data for civilian purposes, have been routinely available from single channel, i.e., single frequency and single polarization, radar systems. In the near future, we expect satellite SAR systems with enhanced capabilities in terms of polarization, frequency, spatial resolution, spatial coverage and temporal resolution. In this paper, we discuss the increase in applications potential resulting from the progress in SAR technology, in particular in C-band systems. The application fields discussed include agriculture, forestry, geology, hydrology, oceans, and sea ice. Most applications are anticipated to benefit from the upcoming availability of cross-polarized C-band data. Likewise the introduction of fully polarimetric C-band satellite SAR systems is expected to improve the overall application potential

RADARSAT-1, the first Canadian SAR remote sensing satellite, was launched on November 4, 1995. After commissioning, it was put into routine operations on April 1, 1996. In September 1997, RADARSAT-1 underwent a major configuration change to accommodate the Antarctic Mapping Mission (AMM - a joint mission by Canada and USA aimed at completing high-resolution mapping of Antarctica) for a period of about five weeks. Significant effort continues to be expended in the provision of high quality products to users generated by the Canadian Data Processing Facility (CDPF). The image quality measurement results indicate that the RADARSAT-1 system is meeting and exceeding its performance specification and that image quality is maintained. This paper will describe the overall process of data acquisition, data analysis and re calibration for image quality maintenance

"Special Collection on GlobeSAR-2." Canadian Journal of Remote Sensing, 27(6), pp. 636–637 Additional informationNotes on contributorsTom I. Lukowski• Natural Resources Canada Canada Centre for Remote Sensing Guest Editor, Special Collection on GlobeSAR-2Carolyn Goodfellow• Natural Resources Canada Canada Centre for Remote Sensing Manager, GlobeSAR-2 Program

RADARSAT-1 was launched in November, 1995 with the first image acquired on November 28 of that year. After commissioning, it was put into routine operation on April 1, 1996. Significant effort has been expended in the provision of radiometrically and geometrically calibrated products to users by the Canadian Data Processing Facility (CDPF). Particular emphasis has been on the determination of the antenna gain patterns and on image quality as measured using images of the Amazon rainforest and of the RADARSAT Precision Transponders (RPTs). This paper will review stability in image quality parameters and calibration accuracies as achieved to date, and present required parameter updates.

Scientists at the Canada Centre for Remote Sensing have explored the uses of remotely sensed imagery to assist search and rescue in Canada. Studies concentrated on the uses of SAR imagery for the detection and classification of crashed aircraft and have shown the feasibility of using such imagery for these purposes, although current spaceborne systems are proving limited in their capabilities. With further development in technologies, improved coverage of the Canadian land-mass of future systems, and further development of techniques it will be possible to assist in search and rescue for land targets. This is expected to bear fruit for RADARSAT-2 and other future satellite SAR systems.

The Guagua Pichincha volcano close to Quito, Ecuador has been erupting since August 1998. To monitor its behaviour, RADARSAT-1 fine mode data were acquired in March, April, October, and November of 1999. Change detection has been carried out using these images. In this study, the capability, utility and limitations of such SAR imagery for monitoring of volcanic activity is being examined.

The Canadian earth observation satellite, RADARSAT-1 was launched on November 4, 1995. Since then more than three years of successful operation have been completed, utilizing data for their intended applications. In this paper, we are primarily concerned with image quality associated with the image products generated by the Canadian Data Processing Facility (CDPF) for different SAR operating beams and modes. A chronology is presented which reviews the image quality evolution of RADARSAT-1 since launch, complementing previously presented reviews on this subject. Data will be given on various image quality parameters related to impulse response, location error, antenna pattern, and radiometric stability.

To date, space-borne SAR data have been widely available from single channel, that is, single frequency and single polarization, radar systems. In the near future, we expect SAR satellites with enhanced capabilities in terms of polarization, frequency, spatial resolution, spatial coverage and temporal resolution. In this paper, we will introduce some of the satellites planned and deliberate upon the increase in applications potential resulting from the progress in SAR technology. The application fields discussed are agriculture, forestry, geology, hydrology, oceans, and sea ice. Most applications are anticipated to benefit from the upcoming availability of cross-polarized C-band data. Likewise the introduction of fully polarimetric C-band satellites and multi-frequency satellites is expected to improve the overall application potential.

This paper reviews image quality and radiometric calibration aspects of the first two years of operation of RADARSAT. This includes the calibration of almost all beams (a total of more than 25 beams when considering shifted positions of each of the Fine beams), and the stability and calibration accuracies achieved during the mission to date. The measurements show that the SAR performance is better than the specifications. In September 1997, RADARSAT underwent a major configuration change to accommodate the Antarctic Mapping Mission for a period of about five weeks. To achieve this, the spacecraft was rotated to allow imaging from a left-looking geometry. The image quality and calibration results for the left-looking mode are also discussed.

This paper reviews image quality and radiometric calibration aspects of the first two years of operation of RADARSAT. This includes the initialization of almost all beams, stability and calibration accuracies achieved during the mission to date. In September 1997, RADARSAT underwent a major configuration change to accommodate the Antarctic Mapping Mission for a period of about five weeks. To achieve this, the spacecraft was rotated to allow imaging from a left-looking geometry. The image quality and calibration results for the left-looking mode are also discussed