SATELLITE REMOTE SENSING - 2021/2

Module Overview

Expected prior learning:  None specifically advised.




Module purpose:  Earth and planetary observation with remote sensing data is playing a key role in the present understanding of natural phenomena, prevention of disasters, resources monitoring, comprehension of origins of life.

Through a series of lectures, seminars, open discussions and “thinking breaks” in class, the module aims to give an introduction to the scientific principles of remote sensing – both passive and active – as carried out by spacecraft. Remote sensing is discussed in terms of instrumentation, missions, products and applications.





IMPORTANT: The Second assessment pattern (100% Weighting for Written Exam) is only applicable to the MSc Short Course Students.

Module provider

Computer Science and Electronic Eng

Module Leader

GUIDA Raffaella (Elec Elec En)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): 90

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None.

Module content

Indicative content includes the following.

Section 1 - INTERACTIONS, SENSORS & PLATFORMS

Introduction to Remote Sensing: Radiometry, Electromagnetic Spectrum, Radiant and Spectral quantities, Blackbodies, Planck law, Stefan-Boltzmann law, Wien displacement law.

Energy Interactions: Physics of interactions, interactions in the atmosphere (influence factors, mechanisms, effects), interactions at the Earth’s surface (the energy balance, different kinds of reflectors). Mechanisms of reflection, transmission, absorbance, scattering (Rayleigh, Mie, Non-selective).

Data acquisition and interpretation: Data acquisition, data analysis, reference data, calibration.

Sensors and Platforms: Active and Passive systems, Spatial Resolution, Spectral Resolution, Swath Width, Coverage (Along-track scanner, Across-track scanner), Nadir, Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), Payload design (Factors and Limitations), Orbits (Apogee and Perigee, Eccentricity, Orbital Period and Speed, Ascending and Descending Node, Inclination, Shape and Altitude, Geostationary Earth Orbits, Sun-Synchronous Orbits). Examples of some missions: LANDSAT program, SPOT program, NOAA program.

Section 2 - RADAR REMOTE SENSING

Radar Remote Sensing: Viewing geometry, Antenna Beam. Signal properties in Time Domain (Continuous wave CW and Pulsed wave PW) and Frequency domains, (Spectrum for CW and PW). Linear Frequency Modulation. Range and Doppler discrimination. Geometric distortions (Foreshortening, Layover, Shadow). Real Aperture Radar (RAR), Radar Equation (Bistatic and Monostatic), Swath width, Range resolution, Azimuth resolution, Signal Fading (speckle).

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR): Synthetic-Array approach, Doppler-Synthesis approach, lower and upper bounds for PRF. Configurations: stripmap, spotlight, hybrid, scansar. SAR Missions and Applications. SAR Interferometry. SAR Polarimetry. Scatterometer: basic principles. Altimeter: basic principles. Examples of SAR missions: NovaSAR-S mission (invited speaker from SSTL Ltd.)

Section 3 - DATA QUALITY & IMAGE PROCESSING

Image Processing: Image rectification and restoration (Geometric correction, Radiometric correction, Noise removal); Image enhancement (Contrast manipulation, Spatial feature manipulation, Multi-image manipulation). Image classification (supervised and unsupervised), classifiers. Data merging: principles.





 

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Students failing a unit of assessment resit the assessment in its original format.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy for this module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the following:

-       a basic knowledge of remote sensing principles and instrumentation and a good understanding of the interactions of radiation with the earth’s surface and atmosphere, assessed through coursework and examination;

-       a good understanding of Synthetic Aperture Radar principles and applications, assessed through coursework and examination;

-       a good capability of analysing end-users requirements for specific remote sensing application and converting them in technical specifications for the design of remote sensing instrumentation, assessed through coursework;

-       a good knowledge of basic image processing and interpretation skills of remote sensing products, assessed through examination.

 

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of the following.

·         2 hours closed book examination.

-       Satellite Remote Sensing Application: an assignment involving the image processing and analysis for a given application of Earth Observation, the application of theoretical concepts to verify satellite image parameters and the suggestion of a technical solution to address specific end-users requirements. The coursework is set in week 2 and deadline falls in week 7.

These deadlines are indicative. For confirmation of exact date and time, please check the Departmental assessment calendar issued to you.

Formative assessment and feedback

For the module, students will receive formative assessment/feedback in the following ways.

• 
  During lectures, by question and answer sessions and discussions
  


• 
  During tutorial classes
  


• 
  By means of unassessed tutorial problem sheets (with answers/model solutions)
  


• 
  During meetings with the module coordinator
  


• 
  By means of unassessed review of the coursework at intermediate steps.
  


• 
  Via the marking of coursework
  

Module aims

• introduce the student to remote sensing principles, the physical interactions of radiation with atmosphere and Earth's features;
• introduce the student to the processing of remotely sensed data and the development of applications for Earth's resources management and monitoring.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to achieve the following aims:

• communicate knowledge and information about satellite sensors and applications to a wide audience through lectures;


• engage students in the analysis of end-users applications requirements and their conversion in technical specifications for satellite sensors design through exercises in class;


• verify students. Understanding, and give feedback through open discussions in class and tutorials.

• 
  2.5 hour lectures x 10 week
  


• 
  1 hour tutorial x 1 week
  


• 
  2 hour lab x 1 week
  


• 
  0.5 hour class discussion x 10 week
  


• 
  3 hour workshop x 1 week
  


• 
  114 hour independent study
  

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: EEEM033

Other information

This module has a capped number and may not be available to ERASMUS and other international exchange students. Please check with the International Engagement Office email: ieo.incoming@surrey.ac.uk

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2021/2 academic year.