• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1308-1315
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• 2009

A full-polarimetric scatterometer(HPS: Hongik Polarimetric Scatterometer) for X-band is designed, fabricated, and verified using the theoretically well-known point-targets in this paper. The X-band full-polarimetric scatterometer consists of an OMT(Orthogonal-Mode Transducer)+horn antenna, the angle control part for the OMT+horn antenna, a transmitter/receiver with a network analyzer and a frequency-conversion circuitry, and a movable support of these parts. We use an inclinometer sensor to control the vertical and horizontal incidence angles. The full polarimetric data can be obtained because of the polarization switches and the OMT. The accuracy of the scatterometer system is verified by measuring the polarimetric RCS(Radar Cross Section) of one of the theoretically well-known point-targets, i.e., a corner reflector.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.408-416
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• 2010

A study on the calibration of an X-band HPS(Hongik Polarimetric Scatterometer) system for ground-based operation is presented in this paper. In order to calibrate the scatterometer system, the degree of its distortions are analyzed by comparison between theoretical- and measured-values using the theoretically well-known calibration targets such as a metal sphere, a trihedral corner reflector(CR) and a metal cylinder. The calibration works in the field conditions depend on the precise and stable measurements of those calibration target. we present a measurement technique, so-called, an automatic 2-D target-scanning technique, using the incidence-angle(${\xi}-$ and ${\phi}-$ directions) control of HPS system. Then, we used STCT(Single-Target Calibration Technique) and GCT(General Calibration Technique) to calibrate a distortion of the scatterometer system, and measured the polarimetric RCS(Radar Cross Section) and phase-difference of a trihedral-CR as a test-target to verify the accuracy of the calibration technique. Then, three different types(i.e., 10, 20, 30 cm) of trihedral-CR were used. we obtained the error ranges about ${\pm}1.0$dB, ${\pm}0.5$ dB in a polarimetric RCS and about $-20^{\circ}{\sim}0^{\circ}$ and ${\pm}5^{\circ}$ in the co-polarized phase-difference by using the GCT and STCT, respectively.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.23 no.10
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• pp.1196-1203
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• 2012

This paper presents a study on the calibration of a C-band HPS(Hongik Polarimetric Scatterometer) system using the DMMCT(Differential Mueller Matrix Calibration Technique). For calibration of the polarimetric scatterometer system, a fully-polarimetric antenna pattern(magnitudes and phase-differences) of the antenna main-beam is measured using a conducting sphere at anechoic chamber. The polarimetric scatterometer system could be accurately calibrated after retrieving its distortions using the DMMCT. Unlike a single-polarimetric system, in a fully-polarimetric system, not only backscattering coefficients but also phase differences are important parameters. This calibrated HPS system can be used to measure accurate Mueller matrices of bare soil surfaces, rice paddies, and vegetation fields. The phase-difference parameters as well as the backscattering coefficients for co- and cross-polarizations can then be obtained. The accuracy of calibration was verified by comparing the measured backscattering coefficients with a scattering model. The measured polarization response of a plowed bare field was also compared with the polarization response which was synthesized using a polarimetric scattering model for verifying the calibration technique.

• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.1002-1004
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• 2003

A ground-based, C-band full polarimetric mobile Scatterometer system has been developed in Malaysia with collaboration between Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES) and Multimedia University (MMU). The main purpose of this system is to measure and monitor backscattering coefficient, ${\sigma }^0$, for earth terrain such as paddy fields, forest and soil surfaces. This paper describes the preliminary results on radar backscatter measurement from paddy field using the mobile C-band Scatterometer system. The measurement campaign was conducted at Sungai Burung area in April 2003. Real time data were collected using four polarization modes (HH, HV, VV and VH), at various incidence angles ranging from 0$^0$ to 60$^0$. The measurement data show consistent results as compared to other reports, which verify the capability of this Scatterometer system as a useful tool for remote sensing.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.878-886
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• 2011

The soybean is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world. Microwave remote sensing is an important tool because it can penetrate into cloud independent of weather and it can acquire day or night time data. Especially a ground-based polarimetric scatterometer has advantages of monitoring crop conditions continuously with full polarization and different frequencies. In this study, soybean growth parameters and soil moisture were estimated using polarimetric discrimination ratio (PDR) by radar scatterometer. A ground-based polarimetric scatterometer operating at multiple frequencies was used to continuously monitor the soybean growth condition and soil moisture change. It was set up to obtain data automatically every 10 minutes. The temporal trend of the PDR for all bands agreed with the soybean growth data such as fresh weight, Leaf Area Index, Vegetation Water Content, plant height; i.e., increased until about DOY 271 and decreased afterward. Soil moisture lowly related with PDR in all bands during whole growth stage. In contrast, PDR is relative correlated with soil moisture during below LAI 2. We also analyzed the relationship between the PDR of each band and growth data. It was found that L-band PDR is the most correlated with fresh weight (r=0.96), LAI (r=0.91), vegetation water content (r=0.94) and soil moisture (r=0.86). In addition, the relationship between C-, X-band PDR and growth data were moderately correlated ($r{\geq}0.83$) with the exception of the soil moisture. Based on the analysis of the relation between the PDR at L, C, X-band and soybean growth parameters, we predicted the growth parameters and soil moisture using L-band PDR. Overall good agreement has been observed between retrieved growth data and observed growth data. Results from this study show that PDR appear effective to estimate soybean growth parameters and soil moisture.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.374-383
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• 2010

Microwave radar can penetrate cloud cover regardless of weather conditions and can be used day and night. Especially a ground-based polarimetric scatterometer has advantages of monitoring crop conditions continuously with full polarization and different frequencies. Kim et al. (2009) have measured backscattering coefficients of paddy rice using L-, C-, X-band scatterometer system with full polarization and various angles during the rice growth period and have revealed the necessity of near-continuous automatic measurement to eliminate the difficulties, inaccuracy and sparseness of data acquisitions arising from manual operation of the system. In this study, we constructed an X-band automatic scatterometer system, analyzed scattering characteristics of paddy rice from X-band scatterometer data and estimated rice growth parameter using backscattering coefficients in X-band. The system was installed inside a shelter in an experimental paddy field at the National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS) before rice transplanting. The scatterometer system consists of X-band antennas, HP8720D vector network analyzer, RF cables and personal computer that controls frequency, polarization and data storage. This system using automatically measures fully-polarimetric backscattering coefficients of rice crop every 10 minutes. The backscattering coefficients were calculated from the measured data at a fixed incidence angle of $45^{\circ}$ and with full polarization (HH, VV, HV, VH) by applying the radar equation and compared with rice growth data such as plant height, stem number, fresh dry weight and Leaf Area Index (LAI) that were collected at the same time of each rice growth parameter. We examined the temporal behaviour of the backscattering coefficients of the rice crop at X-band during rice growth period. The HH-, VV-polarization backscattering coefficients steadily increased toward panicle initiation stage, thereafter decreased and again increased in early-September. We analyzed the relationships between backscattering coefficients in X-band and plant parameters and predicted the rice growth parameters using backscattering coefficients. It was confirmed that X-band is sensitive to grain maturity at near harvesting season.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2011

Soybean has widely grown for its edible bean which has numerous uses. Microwave remote sensing has a great potential over the conventional remote sensing with the visible and infrared spectra due to its all-weather day-and-night imaging capabilities. In this investigation, a ground-based polarimetric scatterometer operating at multiple frequencies was used to continuously monitor the crop conditions of a soybean field. Polarimetric backscatter data at L, C, and X-bands were acquired every 10 minutes on the microwave observations at various soybean stages. The polarimetric scatterometer consists of a vector network analyzer, a microwave switch, radio frequency cables, power unit and a personal computer. The polarimetric scatterometer components were installed inside an air-conditioned shelter to maintain constant temperature and humidity during the data acquisition period. The backscattering coefficients were calculated from the measured data at incidence angle $40^{\circ}$ and full polarization (HH, VV, HV, VH) by applying the radar equation. The soybean growth data such as leaf area index (LAI), plant height, fresh and dry weight, vegetation water content and pod weight were measured periodically throughout the growth season. We measured the temporal variations of backscattering coefficients of the soybean crop at L, C, and X-bands during a soybean growth period. In the three bands, VV-polarized backscattering coefficients were higher than HH-polarized backscattering coefficients until mid-June, and thereafter HH-polarized backscattering coefficients were higher than VV-, HV-polarized back scattering coefficients. However, the cross-over stage (HH > VV) was different for each frequency: DOY 200 for L-band and DOY 210 for both C and X-bands. The temporal trend of the backscattering coefficients for all bands agreed with the soybean growth data such as LAI, dry weight and plant height; i.e., increased until about DOY 271 and decreased afterward. We plotted the relationship between the backscattering coefficients with three bands and soybean growth parameters. The growth parameters were highly correlated with HH-polarization at L-band (over r=0.92).

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to measure backscattering coefficients of paddy rice using a L-, C-, and X-band scatterometer system with full polarization and various angles during the rice growth period and to relate backscattering coefficients to rice growth parameters. Radar backscattering measurements of paddy rice field using multifrequency (L, C, and X) and full polarization were conducted at an experimental field located in National Academy of Agricultural Science (NAAS), Suwon, Korea. The scatterometer system consists of dual-polarimetric square horn antennas, HP8720D vector network analyzer ($20\;MHz{\sim}20\;GHz$), RF cables, and a personal computer that controls frequency, polarization and data storage. The backscattering coefficients were calculated by applying radar equation for the measured at incidence angles between $20^{\circ}$ and $60^{\circ}$ with $5^{\circ}$ interval for four polarization (HH, VV, HV, VH), respectively. We measured the temporal variations of backscattering coefficients of the rice crop at L-, C-, X-band during a rice growth period. In three bands, VV-polarized backscattering coefficients were higher than hh-polarized backscattering coefficients during rooting stage (mid-June) and HH-polarized backscattering coefficients were higher than VV-, HV/VH-polarized backscattering coefficients after panicle initiation stage (mid-July). Cross polarized backscattering coefficients in X-band increased towards the heading stage (mid-Aug) and thereafter saturated, again increased near the harvesting season. Backscattering coefficients of range at X-band were lower than that of L-, C-band. HH-, VV-polarized ${\sigma}^{\circ}$ steadily increased toward panicle initiation stage and thereafter decreased, and again increased near the harvesting season. We plotted the relationship between backscattering coefficients with L-, C-, X-band and rice growth parameters. Biomass was correlated with L-band hh-polarization at a large incident angle. LAI (Leaf Area Index) was highly correlated with C-band HH- and cross-polarizations. Grain weight was correlated with backscattering coefficients of X-band VV-polarization at a large incidence angle. X-band was sensitive to grain maturity during the post heading stage.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.22 no.7
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• pp.711-719
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• 2011

A study of miniaturization of an L-band orthomode transducer(OMT) for field experiments of radar backscatter is presented in this paper. The proposed OMT is not required the additional waveguide taper structures to connect with a standard adaptor by the newly designed junction structure which bases on a waveguide taper. Total length of the OMT for L-band is about 1.2 ${\lambda}_o$(310 mm) and it's a size of 60 % of the existing OMTs. And, to increase the matching and isolation performances of each polarization, two conducting posts are inserted. The bandwidth of 420 MHz and the isolation level of about 40 dB are measured in the operating frequency. The L-band scatterometer consisting of the manufactured OMT, a horn-antenna and network analyzer(Agilent 8753E) was used STCT and 2DTST to analysis the measurement accuracy of radar backscatter. The full-polarimetric RCSs of test-target, 55 cm trihedral corner reflector, measured by the calibrated scatterometer have errors of -0.2 dB and 0.25 dB for vv-/hh-polarization, respectively. The effective isolation level is about 35.8 dB in the operating frequency. Then, the horn-antenna used to measure has the length of 300 mm, the aperture size of $450{\times}450\;mm^2$, and HPBWs of $29.5^{\circ}$ and $36.5^{\circ}$ on the principle E-/H-planes.