Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • After the course the student is ready to work with microwave remote sensing data in a research project. 
  • He/she can classify microwave instruments used in remote sensing, explain their functioning principles, sketch the structure, and calculate key performance parameters. 
  • The student understands the physics of microwave interaction with natural medium and can interpret target properties based on measured microwave signatures. 
  • He/she can distinguish between electrical properties of snow, water and soil. The student can make a basic interpretation of typical features in microwave radar and radiometer images.
  • The student has hands-on experience of simple radar image processing and common analysis tools. 

Credits: 5

Schedule: 02.09.2024 - 05.12.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Jaan Praks

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):

Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):

Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    • Microwave interaction with nature. Dielectric properties of natural media. 
    • Blackbody radiation, emission, scattering, absorption, backscattering.
    • Radiative transfer, radar equation.
    • Microwave radiometer and radar; components, structure and performance parameters. 
    • Synthetic aperture radar (SAR), radar image formation and basic signal processing.
    • SAR imaging and analysis techniques: interferometry and polarimetry. 
    • Microwave remote sensing image interpretation and application areas. 
    • Most notable microwave missions and sensors.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Homework exercises, project and examination.

Workload
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Contact teaching. Independent work (homework exercises). Remote sensing image analysing project.

DETAILS

Study Material
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Lecture slides and material delivered during the course. Course book:  Fawwaz T. Ulaby and David G. Long, "MICROWAVE RADAR AND RADIOMETRIC REMOTE SENSING".

Substitutes for Courses
Prerequisites
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals

    2 Zero Hunger

    9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

    13 Climate Action

    15 Life on Land

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • valid for whole curriculum period:

    Teaching Language: English

    Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn I - II
    2025-2026 Autumn I - II