Evaluation of surface current mapping performance by SeaSonde High Frequency radar through simulations
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Authors
Toh, Kwang Yong Daniel
Subjects
Advisors
Paduan, Jeffrey D.
Date of Issue
2005-12
Date
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
The use of the HF radar to measure and map surface currents has proliferated along the coastlines of many countries for purposes of Search and Rescue, Oil Spill Management, Oceanographic and Fishery Science studies. In the US Navy, these surface current maps are being evaluated for operational use in real-time data assimilating coastal circulation models, and direct monitoring tools in environmentally sensitive operating areas. The SeaSonde HF radar, a DF system, was considered in this study. It uses the MUSIC algorithm to recover bearings from the Doppler backscatter spectrum of the sea surface. By varying the radial and antenna patterns, the simulated backscatter spectra were passed through the SeaSonde software suite for radial pattern recovery. This unprecedented approach directly evaluated SeaSondeâ s MUSIC, and the associated uncertainties were examined against the simulated inputs of (1) fixed amplitude and phase deviations from the ideal antenna pattern, (2) measured antenna patterns and (3) decreasing SNR. It was found that using the measured antenna pattern to recover radials yielded least uncertainty, but a definitive prediction of MUSICâ s radial-recovery capability in relation to the patternâ s complex amplitude and phase structure remained illusive. The results highlighted the need to calibrate the militaryâ s DF-systems for accurate azimuth recovery.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Oceanography
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
xviii, 103 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined
in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the
public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States
Code, Section 105, is not copyrighted in the U.S.