Microwave Marketing

Linwave selected for INSAR trial

 

I2GPS (Integrated Interferometry and GNSS for Precision Survey) is a project that aims at developing a novel, integrated approach to the use of synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR)

Linwave Technology will supply key microwave repeater acting as a compact agile Transponder; utilised with location sensing support to this major EU funded programme.The microwave sensor will operate at C band providing excellent area coverage world wide, Linwave proprietry RF designs provide excellent target aquisition and stability.

 

InSAR can measure sub-millimetre amounts of (vertical) movement for various applications, such as the identification of signs of subsidence and landslides, volcanic eruption and earthquake prediction, and the identification of unauthorised tunnelling, construction or groundwater extraction.

In order to utilise the InSAR approach, adequate persistent scatterers must be present in the area to be studied. Therefore, if natural scatterers are absent, distinct radar-visible features such as Corner Reflectors (CRs) or Compact Active Transponders (CATs) need to be present or deployed on-site.

InSAR provides sufficient accuracy, but SAR images of a particular site are available only once every couple of weeks. By integrating the use of GNSS signals with InSAR surveys, I2GPS aims to increase the usability of each individual technique and achieve the necessary level of co-registration. This project proposes to deliver a fully integrated unit and end-to-end application for generating co-registered SAR interferometric and GNSS precision survey results by:

a) integrating the antenna of a GNSS receiver with a CAT antenna to ensure millimetric co-registration and assure a coherent cross-reference between the two precision surveying techniques;

b) developing the integrated application processing and conduct field trials to confirm the effectiveness of the technique;

c) preparing a business plan for exploiting the resulting product and reporting the results to the user community, thereby increasing the use of GNSS and GMES.

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