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CLUSIM: A Synthetic Aperture Radar Clutter Simulator for Planetary Exploration
Author(s) -
Ilyushin Ya. A.,
Orosei R.,
Witasse O.,
SánchezCano B.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1002/2017rs006265
Subject(s) - orbiter , clutter , remote sensing , mars exploration program , synthetic aperture radar , radar , geology , computer science , space based radar , martian surface , robustness (evolution) , radar imaging , continuous wave radar , aerospace engineering , martian , physics , engineering , chemistry , gene , telecommunications , biochemistry , astronomy
In this paper we present the CLUtter SIMulator (CLUSIM), a special program simulating radar side echoes from rough planetary surfaces using realistic topography data sets. A numerical model of realistic topography of the Martian surface, based on Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data, is developed. A specially developed computer routine for evaluation of wideband radar echoes reflected from rough surfaces, capable of aperture synthesis simulation, is described. A synthetic radargram for a portion of Mars Express (MEX) orbit 9466 is computed and validated against experimental data obtained by the MARSIS radar instrument. Finally, a previously developed ionospheric phase correction procedure is numerically tested with new simulated echo signals. Impact of the surface clutter on the ionospheric correction procedure is investigated with a direct numerical comparison to a known benchmark result, which shows robustness of the correction algorithm with respect to the surface clutter.