GNSS-Reflectometry: Forest canopies polarization scattering properties and modeling

Nowadays, GNSS-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) can be a new promising remote sensing tool in the ocean, snow/ice and land surfaces, e.g., vegetation biomass monitoring. Although GNSS-R provides a potentially special L-band multi-angular and multi-polarization measurement, the theoretical vegetation scattering properties and mechanisms for GNSS-R are not understood clearly. In this paper, the GNSS-R vegetation polarization scattering properties are studied and modeled at different incidence angles (specular direction). The bistatic scattering model Bi-mimics is employed, which is the first-order radiative transfer equation. As a kind of forest stand, the Aspen’s crown layer is composed of entire leaves, and its parameters in Mimics handbook are used as model input. The specular circular polarizations (co-polarization RR and cross-polarization LR) are simulated. For cross-polarization, the received polarization is assumed as a linear (horizontal and vertical) polarizations and ±45° linear polarizations. Therefore, the HR VR, +45R and −45R polarizations are simulated here. Contributions from different scattering components at RR, LR and VR polarization are also presented. For co-polarization, it is large in the whole specular angles (10–80°). The scattering trends of the other cross polarization (HR, LR, +45R and −45R) are a little similar when compared to the RR and RV. Therefore, the RHCP and V polarizations are more favorable to collect the reflected signals. The trunk heights and crown depths do not affect the scattering trends of RR, RV and RL, while the trunk height has some effect on the scattering amplitude of different polarizations. The azimuth angle has more effects on RR, RL and RV scattering, especially in lower than 50°. The observation angles and polarization combinations are extremely important for GNSS-R remote sensing.     

基于GNSS-R的裸土圆极化散射特性研究

GNSS-R是利用导航卫星的反射信号对地物参数进行遥感的新兴对地观测方式。针对其特有的圆极化散射方式，以双站散射的高级积分方程模型为工具，利用极化合成的方法将随机粗糙地表面圆极化散射模型转换为可以计算各种极化的微波散射模型。重点模拟分析了不同土壤水分含量下，裸土在不同观测几何时的圆极化散射特性。随机粗糙地表面圆极化散射模型的发展在某种程度上填补了GNSS-R领域机理模型的空缺，为后续土壤水分的进一步反演提供了机理工具。      

Improved specular point prediction precision using gradient descent algorithm

Global Navigation Satellite Systems Reflectometry (GNSS-R) utilizes GNSS signals reflected off the Earth surface for remote sensing applications. Due to weak power of reflected signals, GNSS-R receiver needs to track reflected signals by open loop. The first step is to calculate the position of specular point. The specular point position error of the existing algorithm—Quasi-Spherical Earth (QSE) Approach—is about 3 km which may cause troubles in data post-processing. In this paper, gradient descent algorithm is applied to calculate position of specular point and the calculation is based on World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84) ellipsoid in geodetic coordinate. The benefit of this coordinate is that it is easy to investigate the effect of real surface’s altitude. Learning rate—the key parameter of the algorithm—is adaptively adjusted according to initial error, latitude and gradient descent rate. With self-adaptive learning rate strategy, the algorithm converges fast. Through simulation and test on Global Navigation Satellite System Occultation Sounder II (GNOS II), the performances of the algorithm are validated. The specular point position error of the proposed algorithm is about 10 m. The speed of the proposed algorithm is competitive compared with the existing algorithm. The test on GNOS II shows that the proposed algorithm has good real-time performance.     

基于双基雷达原理的GNSS海面反射信号建模方法

全球导航卫星系统反射(GNSS-R)技术应用过程中接收机的测试验证需要反射信号产生源,以降低成本。信号的模型是GNSS-R信号产生源中的核心。针对缺乏相应模型的问题,提出了一种根据双基雷达原理建立GNSS海面反射信号模型的方法。首先,在分析GNSS海面反射信号特征的基础上,选取了恰当的海面反射点。然后,计算了雷达方程中的散射系数和散射面积,从而得到相应反射点的反射信号功率。最后,对所求得的反射信号参数进行仿真验证。验证的结果表明,反射信号的相关功率曲线与ZV模型理论曲线的相关系数优于0.98,能够有效地用于GNSS海面反射信号的生成。因此,该方法可为GNSS-R信号产生源的研制提供一定的理论支撑。     

基于树模型机器学习方法的GNSS-R海面风速反演

GNSS-R是基于GNSS卫星反射信号的一种新技术.GNSS-R技术可以运用到海面风场反演中，传统的GNSS-R技术反演海面风场主要有波形匹配和经验函数两种方法，风速反演精度约为2m·s-1.波形匹配方法耗时多，计算量大；经验函数方法通常只使用少量物理观测量，会造成信息浪费，损失一定的反演精度.为了提高海面风速的反演精度，引入机器学习领域常用的树模型算法决策树、随机森林、GBDT等对海面风速进行预测.利用GNSS-R与ECMWF数据构成训练集和验证集，训练集用于模型学习，验证集用于检验模型的反演效果.实验结果显示，决策树和随机森林预测误差约为0.6m·s-1，GBDT等算法的预测误差约为2m·s-1，满足风速反演要求.与GNSS-R传统反演方法相比，机器学习树模型算法效果更好，在验证集上表现稳定且误差较小.因此，可以将机器学习树模型算法运用到海面风速反演中.      

GNSS-R open-loop difference phase altimetry: Results from a bridge experiment

The paper explores a method to obtain accurate lake surface heights using measurements of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) carrier phase reflected from the lake surface. The method is referred to as Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflection (GNSS-R) open-loop difference phase altimetry method. It consists of two key technologies: one is the open-loop tracking method to track the GNSS-R signals, where the direct GNSS signal’s frequency is used as a reference frequency to obtain the carrier phases of the GNSS-R signals; the other key technology is time difference phase altimetry method to invert the lake surface heights using two or more carrier phases of GNSS-R signals received simultaneously. A validation experiment is carried out on the SANYING bridge over GUANTING lake using a GNSS-R receiver developed by the Center for Space Science and Applied Research (CSSAR), processing the data with GNSS-R open-loop difference phase altimetry method. The lake surface height results are consistent with the height results of GPS dual-frequency differential positioning altimetry. The results show that we can achieve centimeter level height in one minute average, by using 11 minutes carrier phase data of three GNSS-R signals received simultaneously.     

Low Earth orbit constellation design using a multi-objective genetic algorithm for GNSS reflectometry missions

Spaceborne global navigation satellite system reflectometry (GNSS-R) is an innovative bistatic radar remote sensing technique utilizing low Earth orbit (LEO) based GNSS-R instruments to acquire GNSS L-band opportunistic signals for measuring geophysical parameters. A GNSS-R LEO constellation with an optimization design for its specialized missions is very significant and necessary. However, the constellation design involves multi-parameter and multi-objective optimization, and the classical analytic solution is not capable of such a complicated issue. This study proposes a multi-objective LEO constellation design method with a genetic algorithm (GA) and presents a framework for designing two GNSS-R LEO constellations, termed “lower-latitude constellation” for typhoons and hurricanes observation in the tropics and “global constellation” for global geophysical parameter measurements. Then, the observation capability of both designed constellations is evaluated in terms of the number of reflection points, spatial coverage density, and revisit time to verify the GA efficiency in LEO constellation design. Results show that the two designed LEO constellations with high fitness function values possess optimal orbit parameter set configuration and outperform the existing CyGNSS constellations in observation performance. Compared with CyGNSS, the number of reflection points observed by the lower-latitude constellation and the global constellation increases by 38% and 45%, as well as the spatial coverage density increases by 28% and 36%. The revisit time for the lower-latitude constellation is reduced by 0.29 h, whereas the revisit time for the global constellation increases by one hour.     

涌浪及降雨影响下的GNSS海面反射信号建模

全球导航卫星系统（GNSS）海面反射信号的模拟仿真采用的海浪谱多为风驱模型，而忽略了真实复杂环境中涌浪、降雨的影响。为此，提出了一种涌浪、降雨影响下的GNSS海面反射信号模型。首先，对Elfouhaily海浪谱、涌浪谱、降雨谱分别进行仿真，从海浪谱的角度分析涌浪、降雨对GNSS反射信号的影响。然后，设计了引入涌浪、降雨影响因子后的GNSS反射信号建模的方法，并建立噪声模型。最后，对星载场景下仿真得到的二维时延-多普勒相关功率分布图像（DDM）、时延相关功率波形（DW）进行分析，并与英国技术演示卫星（UK TDS-1）实测数据的处理结果进行了对比验证。结果表明:涌浪主要形成对GNSS反射信号影响较大的大尺度粗糙海面，而降雨对GNSS反射信号影响较小；仿真的DDM与实测数据结果的波形有很好的一致性，DW对比的相关系数达到0.92，优于未修正模型的对比结果，模拟的反射信号更为真实，证明了提出的GNSS反射信号建模方法的可行性、有效性。对真实复杂环境下的GNSS反射信号建模及GNSS反射信号星载探测应用研究具有一定的参考意义和实用价值。      

空间目标表面包覆材料褶皱对光散射特性的影响

空间目标表面包覆材料的不规则褶皱对其光散射特性具有显著影响.对空间目标表面褶皱进行分类并分析不规则褶皱形成的主要原因.以金聚酰亚胺薄膜样片为研究对象,搭建样片辐射亮度测量系统,获取不同褶皱程度样片的辐射亮度数据.将辐射亮度转换为星等进行分析发现,理论计算与实验测量得到的星等曲线趋势存在较大差异,主要表现为:平面材料的单一镜面反射现象消失;样片在多个角度上出现分散的较强散射点;褶皱程度越高,分散的强散射点越多.结果表明,在对空间目标的光散射特性进行数值计算时,必须充分考虑表面包覆材料褶皱的影响,根据褶皱情况修正数值计算模型,这对空间目标的探测和识别具有重要意义.      

Deformation monitoring using GNSS-R technology

GNSS reflectometry (GNSS-R) has been widely studied in recent years for various applications, such as soil moisture monitoring, biomass analysis, and sea state monitoring. This paper presents the concept of a novel application of using GNSS-R technology for deformation monitoring. Instead of installing GNSS on the deformation body to sense the movement, GNSS-R deformation monitoring system estimates the deformation from receiving GNSS signal reflected by the deformation body remotely. A prototype of GNSS-R deformation monitoring system has been developed based on GNSS software receiver technology. A 3D geometrical model of GNSS signal reflection has been used to reveal the relationship between the change of carrier phase difference and deformation. After compensating the propagation path delay changes caused by satellite movement, the changes in the remaining carrier phase difference are linked to the deformation. Field tests have been carried using the GNSS-R system developed and the results show sub-centimeter level deformation can be observed with the new technology. Unlike other GNSS deformation monitoring methods, GNSS-R receivers are not installed on the slope which makes this new technology more attractive.     

随机粗糙面的双站散射模型分析

以先进积分方程模型(AIEM)为工作模型,从理论上系统分析了随机粗糙面的双站散射特征,探讨了不同粗糙程度下散射系数在方位平面上的谷点位置,并利用数值仿真模拟、实测值对理论预测的散射系数进行了说明与验证.结果显示,散射系数在方位向上的谷点位置与粗糙程度和极化特征密切相关.利用数值仿真模拟,可从物理的角度更系统深入地分析统计粗糙表面的散射特性,从而有利于设计以后的更有效的双站探测模式.      

基于相关功率修正的地基GNSS-R土壤湿度反演

利用全球导航卫星系统反射信号测量技术(GNSS-R)进行土壤湿度反演过程中，实际接收天线方向性会造成GNSS直反信号相关功率测量偏差。针对地基观测场景下天线方向性造成的相关功率的类余弦振荡问题，提出了基于多项式拟合的信号相关功率修正方法。为了验证所提方法的有效性，开展了地基GNSS-R土壤湿度观测实验，结果表明:基于多项式拟合的相关功率修正可以消除信号相关功率的类余弦振荡，提升GNSS-R土壤湿度反演中的观测数据有效性和反演结果准确性。      

直反信号协同的GNSS-R BSAR距离多普勒成像算法

针对目前基于全球导航卫星系统反射信号的双基地合成孔径雷达（GNSS-R BSAR)在一站固定模式下的大斜视,斜距历程复杂,回波信号方位空变导致回波信号难以处理的问题,提出改进的距离多普勒成像新算法。所提算法采用GNSS信号作为辐射源,根据一站固定模式下GNSS-R BSAR合成孔径时间长的特点,引入高阶等效斜视距离模型,得到导航卫星与目标斜距相对时间变化的精确描述。先通过直射信号与回波信号时域对消进行距离徙动校正,实现全场景目标距离徙动的精确校正;再通过方位向分块混合相关处理来克服回波信号方位向的移变性质,实现全场景高效精确成像。所提算法的成像效率优于传统后向投影时域（BP）算法,成像精度与BP算法相当,且可根据需要通过调整方位分块的宽度来提升聚焦效果。最后,用GPS-L5信号进行仿真和实验,仿真和实验结果验证了所提算法的可行性和高效性。     

基于GMF方法的捕风一号风速反演分析

全球尺度高时空分辨率海面风场探测是当前全球气象研究及预报预测领域的关注热点之一,传统海面风场探测技术存在测量区域有限,且受天气环境限制明显等问题.基于全球导航卫星系统-反射(GNSS-R)测量技术风速反演原理,以捕风一号1级数据产品为输入,欧洲中期天气预报中心再分析风速数据为参考风速,采用地球物理模型函数(GMF)方法...     

Microwave specular scattering response of soil texture at X-band

Soil texture is an important soil parameter that is useful for meteorology, climatology, hydrology, ecology, etc. Therefore, it is important to classify soil based on soil texture (i.e., sand, silt and clay). A lot of studies with radar remote sensing have been carried out to estimate soil moisture and surface roughness, but less attention has been given to study the effect of individual soil texture on radar scattering, especially in specular direction. The main aim of this paper is to check the behavior of specular scattering with change in soil texture. This effect has also been analyzed in presence of soil moisture and surface roughness. Scattering coefficient has been retrieved for various soil texture fields with indigenously designed X-band bistatic scatterometer for a range of incidence angles (from 30° to 70° in steps of 10°) in both like polarizations, i.e., HH-polarization and VV-polarization. Observations were made at 10 GHz frequency. Four different fields were considered on the basis of soil texture variations; especially changes in sand percentage were made. Roughness (smooth soil to 1.4 cm rms surface height) and moisture (dry soil to 0.21 cm³ cm⁻³ volumetric soil moisture) conditions of these fields were varied for observations. Strong change in specular scattering coefficient is observed by changing the sand percentage in soil for HH-polarization, while in case of VV-polarization a lesser change is observed. Also a high change in specular scattering coefficient is noticed once moisture is added to the soil. It is difficult to observe the change in specular scattering coefficient with change in soil texture when surface is considered as rough. Therefore, it is important to minimize the roughness effect while observing the texture with specular scattering. For this purpose, polarization study was carried out to see how polarization can be helpful to minimize the roughness effect. The effect of soil texture on copolarization ratio is critically analyzed, and it is observed that for higher incidence angle (50°), the distinction in soil texture fields are clearly observable on the basis of copolarization ratio. This type of study will be helpful in near future to design the bistatic radar system for soil parameter monitoring, especially for cartwheel satellite system.     

基于QZSS L1信号的岸基GNSS-R码延迟海面测高

为了探究GNSS L1波段中信号不同调制方式的GNSS-R码相位延迟海面的测高性能，开展了双天线岸基GNSS-R海面测高实验，收集了采样率为40 MHz的原始中频数据。利用自主开发的GNSS-R测高软件接收机和反演软件对实验数据进行了处理分析，同时获得了基于QZSS L1C/A码和L1C码的GNSS-R海面测高结果，并分别与岸基同步观测的雷达高度计的测高值进行对比，以对反演结果进行精度评定。实验结果表明:基于QZSS L1C/A码和L1C码的海面测高精度最优可达0.63 m和0.4 m，L1C码的延迟GNSS-R测高精度明显高于L1C/A码。此外，GNSS-R测高精度会随着卫星高度角的增加而有所增加。      

机载GNSS海洋反射信号的建模与仿真

由于全球导航卫星系统反射(GNSS-R)机载试验耗费大和重复性差,需研制GNSS-R信号模拟器,但没有相应的反射信号模型。提出了一种基于数据拟合的机载GNSS海洋反射信号建模方法。首先,对复杂的GNSS海面反射信号进行近似简化。然后利用ZV模型生成的时延相关功率曲线,通过最小二乘拟合和非线性拟合,建立了多条等时延间隔的海洋反射信号功率衰减模型,从而得到机载GNSS海洋反射信号的时延、功率、多普勒频率参数。最后,对多条反射信号的合路信号进行相关的仿真验证。验证的结果表明模拟的14条反射信号的相关功率曲线与ZV模型理论曲线的相关系数优于0.99,能够有效地用于GNSS海洋反射信号的生成。该方法可根据海面风场、浪高、波高等海面信息,模拟不同海况的海洋反射信号,为GNSS-R信号模拟器的研制奠定基础。