Radar remote sensing technologies: The usage in agriculture

Abstract

This paper presents the active remote sensing technology, based on the use of electromagnetic waves from the microwave frequency range. According to sensor distance from the surface soil layer, two existing radar technologies were analyzed: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Ground Penetrating Radar technology (GPR). Considering the fact that the SAR antenna is designed for satellite platforms, the application of this technology in agriculture includes the procedures of classification of arable land and crops, in unfavorable situations. From the point of the usage of GPR technology, where the antenna is close to, or in contact with the surface layer, the application is based on the analysis of both geometric and general characteristics of underground soil layers to a depth of 10m. Using a comparative analysis of both technologies, a common area of application in the form of complex, composite technologies is defined.

Keywords

• sar technology
• gpr technology
• soil classification
• volumetric moisture content