Multi Phase Center Processing of Ice Sounding Radar Signals for Across Track Surface Clutter Cancellation: POLARIS Processing Results and Optimisation Report

Abstract

ESA’s POLarimetric Airborne Radar Ice Sounder demonstrator (POLARIS) - build and operated by the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) - operates at P-band and features a multi-phase-center antenna for the purpose of surface clutter suppression. The first data suitable for the development and demonstration of suitable surface clutter cancellation methods were acquired in February 2011 during the IceGrav campaign in Antarctica. The purpose of the present study is to investigate and compare different methods for POLARIS surface clutter cancellation and to implement a Processing Tool to augment the along-track POLARIS processor developed by ESA, thus improving bedrock detectability. The present document is the Processing Results and Optimisation Report for the MPC Processing Tool developed by DLR, Microwaves and Radar Institute in the frame of this contract. It includes the summary of all POLARIS data acquired with a multi-phase center antenna during the IceGrav campaign in February 2011 at Jutulstraumen glacier, Antarctica and processed with the MPC tool developed by DLR. The optimization potential is being assessed in the last section with respect to changes in the assumed ice surface height.