About this Research Topic
Radar interferometry is a technique to detect and measure mutual movements between a microwave sensor and the targets it is observing, thanks to the interferometric processing of the differential phase shifts occurring to the backscattered microwave signals. This technique was originally used in particular on satellite platforms for Earth Observation purposes, and in the last decades has been fruitfully exploited also on ground-based platforms. Ground-based radar interferometry techniques can be divided into two different imaging approaches: real aperture (RAR) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) which are based on a common physical principle (and similar electronic characteristics in the employed sensors) but differ for the mechanics of the measuring station and final product. While RAR systems are constituted by a measuring station with a fixed point of view and direction of view with a 1D imaging capability, SAR systems are constituted by a measuring station where the sensor has a controlled movement (typically rectilinear) that allows the same target to be observed from different points of view/directions and thus providing 2D imaging. Due to 1D performance, RAR systems are able to record frequency vibrations typical of structures such as buildings, bridges, towers (approximately between 0.1 Hz to 20 Hz) but suffer from a spatial ambiguity, related to the presence of two or more targets located at the same distance. On the other hand, SAR systems can only detect slow movements but are able to reconstruct the displacement field of 2D surfaces.
SAR system can provide 2D image of the monitored scenario but with a sampling frequency more apt to the velocity of natural phenomena as landslides, or glaciers’ motion. The Research Topic is currently of great interest also in relation to many technological advancements that are being tested and are still to be fully explored, with regard to both sensors characteristics (electronics, mechanics, layout, signal processing) and types of application case studies, guaranteeing lower costs with respect to systems presently available from the market. One of the potentialities to explore is also the integration of ground-based radar interferometric surveys with other (terrestrial and satellite) techniques and eventually with numerical simulations to reconstruct the physical conditions of the investigated targets, being either anthropic or natural. Even the integration of RAR and SAR surveys can lead to significant advancements in the field. Moreover, integrated protocols and their implementation in real-world use cases have not been yet investigated in detail.
The Research Topic is open to research articles, case studies, and reviews of literature papers or industry technology. All aspects of the ground-based radar interferometry topics are of interest for this call. In particular, authors are welcome to showcase the advantages and current limitations of specific applications of the ground-based radar interferometry systems to given societal issues, from structural health testing and monitoring of civil engineering manufacts to the reconstruction of the displacements and movements of vertical, underground or ground surface, the latter being constituted by either rocks, soil, concrete, snow or ice. Real case studies from the management of complex scenarios can include the joint use of ground-based RAR and SAR interferometric systems with other satellites, close range, and contact techniques.
SAR system can provide 2D image of the monitored scenario but with a sampling frequency more apt to the velocity of natural phenomena as landslides, or glaciers’ motion. The Research Topic is currently of great interest also in relation to many technological advancements that are being tested and are still to be fully explored, with regard to both sensors characteristics (electronics, mechanics, layout, signal processing) and types of application case studies, guaranteeing lower costs with respect to systems presently available from the market. One of the potentialities to explore is also the integration of ground-based radar interferometric surveys with other (terrestrial and satellite) techniques and eventually with numerical simulations to reconstruct the physical conditions of the investigated targets, being either anthropic or natural. Even the integration of RAR and SAR surveys can lead to significant advancements in the field. Moreover, integrated protocols and their implementation in real-world use cases have not been yet investigated in detail.
The Research Topic is open to research articles, case studies, and reviews of literature papers or industry technology. All aspects of the ground-based radar interferometry topics are of interest for this call. In particular, authors are welcome to showcase the advantages and current limitations of specific applications of the ground-based radar interferometry systems to given societal issues, from structural health testing and monitoring of civil engineering manufacts to the reconstruction of the displacements and movements of vertical, underground or ground surface, the latter being constituted by either rocks, soil, concrete, snow or ice. Real case studies from the management of complex scenarios can include the joint use of ground-based RAR and SAR interferometric systems with other satellites, close range, and contact techniques.
Keywords: Ground-based radar interferometry, SAR, Strcutural vibrations, Model Analysis, Slow Movements, Deformations, Landslides, Avalanches, Monitoring of natural and anthropic risks, Integrated protocols
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