SAR Processing System ScanSAR Processor (SPS SSP) is a computer program that is used in the Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) to processes scanSAR downlink data from the RADARSAT (a Canadian Earth-observation satellite) into a suite of image data products. ["SAR" means "synthetic-aperture radar" and "scanSAR" means "scan-mode SAR."] SPS SSP can process data that have been generated in any of the four RADARSAT scanSAR modes in current use — two wide-swath modes (300 ≤ width ≤ 500 km) called "SWA" and "SWB" and two narrow-swath modes (width ≈ 300 km) called "SNA" and "SNB." The output images are projected in ground range or else geocoded in universal transverse Mercator, polar stereographic, or Lambert coordinates. At present, the only image data products that are calibrated are those of the SWB mode. Typically, an SWB image covers an area of about 500 by 500 km. SPS SSP is executed on an IBM PS-2 computer, which includes (1) a control workstation equipped with 128MB of random-access memory (RAM) and a 4GB hard disk and (2) as many as eight processing nodes, each equipped with 256MB of RAM and a 4GB hard disk. When all eight nodes are used, a typical SWB image frame can be computed in about 35 minutes.
This program was written by Michael Jin, Quyen Nguyen, Jeff Schredder, and Wayne Tung of Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For further information, access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.nasatech.com/tsp under the Software category.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Don Hart of the California Institute of Technology at (818) 393-3425. Refer to NPO-20712.
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Software for Processing RADARSAT ScanSAR Data into Images
(reference NPO-20712) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document provides an overview of the SAR Processing System ScanSAR Processor (SPS SSP), a software program developed for processing ScanSAR downlink data from the RADARSAT satellite, which is a Canadian Earth-observation satellite. The SPS SSP is utilized by the Alaska SAR Facility (ASF) to convert raw data into various image data products, specifically designed for remote sensing applications.
The document explains that "SAR" stands for synthetic-aperture radar, while "ScanSAR" refers to a scan-mode of SAR. The SPS SSP can process data from all four RADARSAT ScanSAR modes: two wide-swath modes (SWA and SWB) with swath widths between 300 km and 500 km, and two narrow-swath modes (SNA and SNB) with swath widths around 300 km. The output images can be projected in ground range or geocoded in various coordinate systems, including Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM), polar stereographic, or Lambert coordinates. Notably, only the SWB mode image products are currently calibrated.
The processing capabilities of the SPS SSP are highlighted, indicating that it operates on an IBM PS-2 computer system, which includes a control workstation and multiple processing nodes. When fully utilized, the system can compute a typical SWB image frame (approximately 500 km by 500 km) in about 35 minutes, demonstrating efficient processing power.
The document also mentions the team responsible for the software's development, which includes Michael Jin, Quyen Nguyen, Jeff Schredder, and Wayne Tung from Caltech, working under NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The software is available for commercial licensing, with contact information provided for inquiries.
Additionally, the document emphasizes the role of the Alaska SAR Facility as one of NASA’s Data Acquisition and Archive Centers, responsible for downlink support, raw data archiving, SAR data processing, and distribution of science data for various international polar-orbiting remote sensing satellites.
In summary, the document outlines the capabilities and operational details of the SPS SSP, its significance in processing RADARSAT ScanSAR data, and the collaborative efforts behind its development, positioning it as a vital tool in the field of Earth observation and remote sensing.
