MRI/Dev.: Anechoic Chamber & Instr. for Remote Sensing of Polar Regions & Transportation Interdisciplinary R&E Project Proposed: This project, developing an anechoic chamber at the Center for Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) to measure ElectroMagnetic Interference and ElectroMagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) and antenna characteristics, aims to improve sensor performance to meet environmental issues. The chamber offers an electromagnetically quiet room for detecting extremely weak emissions and accurate antenna pattern and impedance measurements. The facility covers a wide frequency range and attenuation of incident plane-waves. Coupling effects on array scale models are necessary to be able to optimize critical signal processing algorithms. Optimizing antenna array performance requires radiation patterns and mutual coupling between elements. The chamber enables antenna-pattern measurements using both far-field and spherical near-field scanning techniques over the entire frequency range. Thus, the work involves designing and developing a radar and sensor technology for observation of Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets (systems sensitive to sound) and image the coastal regions where rapid melting due to climate change is most evident. This ultra sensitive sounding and imaging radars enable radio frequency (RF) and microwave emission measurements 40 dB below the thermal noise and operates over a large frequency range from 100MHz up to 18 GHz, with attenuation of plane waves by about 100dB at the proposed chamber boundaries.
Broader Impacts: Beyond the potential contribution to ice-sheet modeling, glaciology, and the overall international polar research community, the facility is likely to have significant impact on education. It enables new coursework in emerging and increasingly critical EMC/EMI field incorporating laboratory exercises into courses. Hence, the project provides educational and training opportunities for students at all levels in an EPSCoR state, provides business opportunities for businesses in the area, and clearly addresses international needs.
