Fundamentals of Remote Sensing Methodology

Abstract

New components and methods in the field of microwave technique, electrooptics, computer technology, statistics and electromagnetics open new and very interesting possibilities with regard to detection and identification problems in relation to surveillance of environmental pollution and resources by electromagnetic waves. The current contribution introduces general remote sensing consepts and theories which conceivably may have an impact on several application areas (environmental surveillance, detection/identification of specific objects). The basic principle is the following: Most of the existing detection/idenfication systems do not make optimum use of all the a priori information that one generally is in possession of with regard to the object of interest. Knowing the geometrical shape of the object of interest and its molecular surface structure (e.g. structure of paint) an illumination function can be structured (matched filter concept) which gives optimum system sensitivity (minimum receiver bandwidth) with respect to the object of interest at the expense of the sensitivity for background objects (interferents). Theoretical results are given in the paper for a limited number of geometrical objects and for two different molecular surface compositions. It is shown that the system sensitivity and identification capability can be improved considerably using optimum methods which are based on fundamental principles from radio science and information theory.