| Title | On the anticipated utility of RCM CP data for freshwater ice mapping and monitoring |
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| Author | van der Sanden, J J ; Geldsetzer, T; Drouin, H; Deschamps, A |
| Source | IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium proceedings 2014, 2014 p. 1564-1567, https://doi.org/10.1109/igarss.2014.6946738 |
| Image |  |
| Year | 2014 |
| Alt Series | Earth Sciences Sector, Contribution Series 20150253 |
| Publisher | IEEE |
| Meeting | IGARRS 2014 / 35th CSRS; Quebec; CA; July 13-18, 2014 |
| Document | serial |
| Lang. | English |
| Media | paper; on-line; digital |
| File format | pdf |
| Subjects | surficial geology/geomorphology; geophysics; ice; ice conditions; remote sensing; satellite imagery; satellite geodesy; RADARSAT |
| Illustrations | histograms |
| Program | Remote Sensing Science |
| Released | 2014 07 01 |
| Abstract | The option to acquire compact polarimetry (CP) data will be available on all RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM) imaging modes. Relative to RADARSAT-2's (R2) polarimetric data, RCM's CP data can be
acquired over wider swaths (up to 500 km) but offer reduced polarization diversity. In addition, the nominal signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for RCM modes fall short of those for R2 polarimetric modes. This paper presents results of an ongoing study
into the utility of RCM CP data in support of the mapping and monitoring of freshwater ice cover. Specifically, the effects of the loss in polarization diversity and radiometric resolution on the information content regarding freshwater ice cover
properties and processes are assessed. The results indicate that RCM CP data will offer good potential in support of spring breakup monitoring and ice type mapping. On the other hand, RCM CP data are expected to be of limited utility for freeze-up
monitoring. |
| Summary | (Plain Language Summary, not published)
Within the Government of Canada, information regarding freshwater ice properties and processes is of operational interest to e.g. EC, PCA, and PSC. Radar
EO satellites make outstanding tools for collecting up-to-date information on freshwater ice cover. Our study assesses the utility of a new type of radar data, that is, compact polarimetry (CP) data in support of the mapping and monitoring of
freshwater ice cover. This data type will become available from Canada¿s forthcoming RADARSAT Constellation Mission (RCM). Unlike conventional polarimetry data, CP data can be acquired over wide swaths. However, this operational benefit is
accompanied by potential losses in information content due to setbacks in terms of polarization diversity and radiometric resolution. Our results indicate that these setbacks will not hamper the application of RCM CP data to spring breakup monitoring
and ice type mapping. On the other hand, the data are expected to be of limited utility for freeze-up monitoring. |
| GEOSCAN ID | 297015 |
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