A Drone-Based 0.7-4.7 GHz FMCW Radar System for High-Resolution Exploration of Subsurface Glacier Structures

Stelzig M, Benedikter A, Kleinlein M, Haberberger N, Krabbe L, Lomakin K, Braun M, Krieger G, Vossiek M (2023)

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2023

Publisher: IEEE

Conference Proceedings Title: 2023 IEEE International Radar Conference (RADAR)

Event location: Sydney AU

DOI: 10.1109/RADAR54928.2023.10371027

Abstract

A majority of the studies on subglacial structure mapping and imaging have relied on low-frequency ground penetrating radar (GPR) systems. In particular, mapping alpine glaciers using surface-based high-resolution radar sensors poses a considerable threat to the operators due to crevasses or avalanches; this can be avoided by deploying an unpiloted aerial vehicle (UAV)-based radar sensor. Herein, we present an ultrawideband (UWB) bistatic frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) GPR for operation on a UAV. By using a UAV equipped with ultrawideband and extremely lightweight additively manufactured horn antennas at a bandwidth of 4GHz between 0.7 GHz and 4.7 GHz we acquired ultra-high-resolution images of the upper firn layers of an alpine glacier. The acquired measurements at the Jungfraufirn, Switzerland illustrate the out-standing performance of the overall system and its applicability in glaciological research.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Stelzig Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik Micha Kleinlein Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik Niklas Haberberger Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik Lena Krabbe Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik Konstantin Lomakin Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik Matthias Braun Professur für Geographie (Fernerkundung und GIS) Gerhard Krieger Professur für Kognitive Radarsysteme für die Fernerkundung Martin Vossiek Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik

Additional Organisation(s)

FAU Profilzentrum Licht.Materie.Quantentechnologien (FAU LMQ) Lehrstuhl für Hochfrequenztechnik

Involved external institutions

Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) / German Aerospace Center DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Stelzig, M., Benedikter, A., Kleinlein, M., Haberberger, N., Krabbe, L., Lomakin, K.,... Vossiek, M. (2023). A Drone-Based 0.7-4.7 GHz FMCW Radar System for High-Resolution Exploration of Subsurface Glacier Structures. In 2023 IEEE International Radar Conference (RADAR). Sydney, AU: IEEE.

MLA:

Stelzig, Michael, et al. "A Drone-Based 0.7-4.7 GHz FMCW Radar System for High-Resolution Exploration of Subsurface Glacier Structures." Proceedings of the 2023 IEEE International Radar Conference (RADAR), Sydney IEEE, 2023.

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