New Radar-System
LIH Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (GBInSAR) systems
We are thrilled to announce that the two Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry (GBInSAR) systems recently purchased by LIH have arrived in Aachen. The GBInSAR system, offered by LISALab, will be used in the framework of our current DFG project on paraglacial rock slope stability in Alaska. The equipment consist on two pedestals, a linear positioner of 3 m long, a measuring head, a power base, solar panels and the Main LISAmobile software. The system works with similar interferometric sensor based on the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technique used on satellites but is implemented on a ground-based platform. The frequency used by ground-based radars ranges from 12 to 18 GHz (Ku band). The GBInSAR LISAmobile can operate and measure deformation and displacement with continuous acquisition of 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and 365 days per year at long-range with a maximal distance of 5 km and with a precision of the measurements in the order of 0.3-0.7 mm. The LISAmobile software allows to control, analyze and visualize the data generated by the radar remotely. For our project, the aim is to capture millimeter-scale deformation with a decimeter-scale spatial resolution and to establish deformation timelines, which in turn allow relating meteorological and glaciological data with the deformation behavior.
The GBInSAR will hopefully be installed at two of the potential sites located at Grewingk glacier and Portage glacier, both in Alaska, USA. A dome-shape shelter will host the radar to protect the system from harsh-weather, snow and animal attacks.