An evaluation of radar as a crop classifier

Abstract

Results of an investigation to specify the parameters of a space-borne imaging radar for use in crop identification are discussed. The study relied upon scaltering data acquired with a groundbased radar which were degraded to simulate the performance of a system similar to the proposed Space Shuttle Orbiter Imaging Radar. Data acquired from fields sown in corn, milo, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa were employed. The results of this study suggest that for best classification accuracy, a K-band (approximately 14 GHz), dual polarized system viewing fields at an off nadir angle in the 40° to 60° range should be employed. However it is emphasized that to attain classification accuracies exceeding 90%, multi-date acquisition is required. As best as can be determined, four target revisits at an interval of ten days is adequate for 90% accuracy.