Electrical Engineering / Meteorology / Agronomy 518 Microwave Remote Sensing Syllabus for Spring 2008 (Next offered Spring 2010, Spring 2012, ...) Tues/Thurs 11-12:30 1220 Howe Hall Professor Brian Hornbuckle 3007 Agronomy Hall bkh@iastate.edu

Course Summary

Description: Passive (radiometry) and active (radar) microwave remote sensing of Earth's surface and atmosphere, with an emphasis on radiometry. The objectives of the course are to: a) understand the physical principles of microwave remote sensing; b) describe models that represent these physical principles; and c) use these models to make quantitative predictions.

Prerequisites: Math 265 or equivalent (third semester calculus, three-dimensional calculus). Good physical science background. Some computer programming experience at an introductory level (no particular language).

Text: Unfortunately, there is not one single good book on microwave remote sensing. I have put together a coursepack that is available at University Book Store for about $70. The coursepack contains information from three sources.

The first is "Microwave Remote Sensing: Active and Passive, Volume I" by Ulaby, Moore, and Fung. This text is old but solid in the fundamentals of remote sensing, and is out of print (hence the reason for the high price of the coursepack). We will use UMF (Ulaby, Moore, and Fung) as a reference for an overview of plane wave propagation, antenna theory, general radiometry, and radiometry of the atmosphere. Volumes I, II, and III (which were all written at the University of Kansas, by the way) are sometimes collectively referred to as the "bible" of microwave remote sensing although they are becoming quite dated.

The second source is "Scattering of Light by Small Particles" by Bohren and Huffman. Although directed more towards the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, there is some relevant material for microwave remote sensing. The introduction is particularly good, and is included in the coursepack. I have also included material from BH (Bohren and Huffman) on the physical models that predict the electrical properties of natural materials.

The last source is a report that has just been released (2007) by the National Academy of Science (NAS). It is a "decadal survey" of earth remote sensing, intended to be used to advise Congress and the Executive Branch on why earth remote sensing is important and how it should be supported in the coming decade. We are fortunate to have this "latest and greatest" information on remote sensing available for our class.

I will also take lecture material from a variety of sources. I may also occasionally hand out sections of texts. There are three texts on reserve in the library. "Fundamentals of Applied Electromagnetics" (either the 1997, 2004, or 2007 version) by Ulaby is a solid introductory textbook that will be useful if you need to brush up on your vector calculus and either introduce you to or help you review electromagnetics. I highly recommend it. Material on vector calculus can also be found in many other texts (other introductory electromagnetics courses like E E 311, as well as your favorite calculus book). The complete Volume I of UMF and the complete BH text are also on reserve.

Learning Experiences: Lecture and discussion, problem sets, and a semester lab/project. During the first half of the course, problem sets are assigned every Tuesday and due the following Tuesday at the beginning of class. The first half is focused on the physical basis of remote sensing. We will often use computer simulations from Physics Education Technology (PHET) to play and experiment with basic physical concepts. In the second half, there are fewer problem sets but they are longer and focused on specific applications of microwave remote sensing. In addition to quantitative problem solving, each problem set also requires you to read material on current events in remote sensing. I assigned ten problem sets the last time I taught the course.

You are strongly encouraged to use MATLAB software to numerically solve and graph problems. I will often supply example code and functions written in MATLAB. Some of the assignments will require the use of MATLAB. MATLAB is a powerful and easy-to-use programming environment that provides many functions that simplify programming and particularly the creation of good-looking figures. MATLAB is available on three machines (north side of the aisle) in Agronomy Hall G528 (open 8am to 9pm Mon-Thurs and 8am to 3:30pm Fri), on all of the machines in Agronomy Hall 3128, and in many other locations across campus, particularly in the College of Engineering. MATLAB is also available free of charge to all ISU students (see ISU IT services, "licensed software"). Other software packages may be used if assignments can be completed fully. All code (and especially code not written in MATLAB) must be well documented with comments if you would like to be awarded partial credit.

Topics: Overview of relevant electromagnetic theory and antenna theory, including Maxwell's equations, the wave equation, plane wave propagation, propagation in a lossy medium, polarization, Fresnel refection and transmission, Snell's law, the short dipole, antenna pattern, beam dimesions, directivity, and gain. Radio science, including the energy and power density of radiation, thermal equilibrium, Planck radiance, the Stefan-Boltzmann law, grey body radiance, the Rayleigh-Jeans law, constitutive properties of natural media, the radiative transfer equation, and scattering by small particles. At the end of the course a brief overview of active sensing, including the radar equation, will be given to contrast with the material on radiometry. Applications include atmospheric sounding, remote sensing of precipitation, and remote sensing of Earth's surface.

We will use the following missions as current examples of microwave remote sensing: TRMM, Aqua, Terra, and SMOS.

Grading: 50% problem sets, 25% mid-term examination, 25% final examination. Current grade records are here.

Exams: There are two exams: a mid-term exam on March 6 over the first half of the course; and a final exam on May 5 over the material covered since the mid-term exam. For each exam please bring a two-page (front and back of a single page) summary of the relevant material (a different summary sheet for each exam), including equations, conceptual information, etc. You will use this material to help you complete the test. You do not need to include the values of constants or material properites (e.g. the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, etc.). The only other materials you will be allowed to use on the exams are a calculator and a pen (not pencil). I am asking you to develop this summary sheet for three reasons: for your use on the exams; as a method of studying for the exam; and concise record of the important topics in the course that you will be able to refer to after the course has been completed.

Semester Laboratory / Project: The semester project will be a comprehensive laboratory report. The laboratory will consist of using my research group's L-band microwave radiometer to observe both the sky and the ground. The data reported by the radiometer will then be compared with model results produced by using in-situ measurements of the atmosphere and Earth's surface. Check back here for information on the format of the report. The report is due before the final exam on Monday, May 5.

Office Hours: You are welcome to come talk to me when you see the door to my office open. In rare cases, I may ask you to come back at another time. It is best to contact me by email and set an appointment time if you have a lengthy question. Please do not stop by Tuesday and Thursday mornings as I am usually busy preparing for class.

Special Needs: Please address any special needs or special accommodations with me at the beginning of the semester or as soon as you become aware. Those seeking accommodations based on disabilities should obtain a Student Academic Accommodation Request (SAAR) from the Disability Resources office (515-294-7220), located in Room 1076 of the Student Services Building.

Schedule of Topics