RADAR METHOD FOR RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF OCEAN PHENOMENA FROM SPACE Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC G01S13/90 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: quasi-mirror mode of scattering a microwave signal by the sea surface is applied using an extended "radio glare" with coaxial horizontal polarisation of radiation and reception; the centre of the viewing field is selected in the mirror point with equal angles of incidence and reflection γ₀ close to Brewster angle; the viewing zone near the mirror point is strobed (excluded from useful information), to form a small-scale field of heights of high waves and a mesoscale field of variations of the average ocean level, a cross-line interferometre is used, having an antenna base l₁ at angle of inclination of the base relative the horizontal of θ=γ₀, and a lengthwise-line interferometre with antenna base l₂ is used to form a small-scale field of orbital velocities of high waves and a mesoscale field of ocean currents. Minimum dimensions of the antenna bases, height of high waves, variations of the average level, orbital velocity of high waves and flow rate are calculated using given formulas. Two versions of realising the method for rapid diagnosis of ocean phenomena are disclosed. The first version is characterised by that, with the aim of global monitoring, two small apparatus are synchronously launched onto ordinary polar orbits, wherein the trajectories of said apparatus are longitudinally spaced apart, and from one of the apparatus, the ocean surface is irradiated with a weakly-directed antenna; the reflected signal is received by the other apparatus; upon transition from the ascending to a descending cycle, the transmitting apparatus becomes the receiving apparatus while the receiving apparatus becomes the transmitting apparatus; several pairs of apparatus on the same orbit are used to ensure the required frequency of radio images. The second version is characterised by that, with the aim of regional monitoring, the given part of the ocean is irradiated with a geostationary apparatus; the reflected signal is received at a low-orbit apparatus; viewing angles and orbit parameters of the apparatus are selected and matched, and to ensure the required frequency of radio images, several receiving apparatus on the same orbit are used.

EFFECT: rapid diagnosis of small- and mesoscale wave fields, flow rate and ocean level.

3 cl, 7 dwg