19,0 MM DD 1 oc
mendations concerning the modifications to be introduced (e.g.
inclusion of provision for dual look and adaptivity) in the
selected simulator.
4. RATIONALE OF THE SYSTEM DESIGN
The system design is essentially based on the following
concepts: (i) identification of remote sensing missions requi-
ring real-time, multimode operation and adaptive features ta-
king also into account the interests of potential users; (ii)
implications on configurations as well as parameters of the
system; (iii) generation of a number of system options, which
involves a statement of possible alternatives to reach the
goal stated in (i); (iv) assessment of complexity, technical
risk, time to implement etc. of the system options and pruning
of the least favourable ones; (v) identification of critical
techniques and technologies; and (vi) complete design of the
selected systems.
4.1 SYSTEM APPLICATIONS
The most effective method of researching suitable applica-
tions involves direct questioning the community of potential
users including public and governamental departments (e.g.
agriculture, environment, merchant navy, meteorology etc.) and
private companies (e.g. oil-bearing, geology, etc.). For: the
purpose of this study, these users will be presented with
promotional literature and specific information on the project.
Based on the information gathered so far, three applications
have been selected, namely: (a) land monitoring, (b) ice/ocean
monitoring, and (c) ship monitoring.
Scope of interest in land monitoring is the all-weather
capability of SAR. An important prerequisite for applying re-
motely sensed data is that a multi-temporal data set is achie-
vable, through ARTS-IP for a timely detection of dynamic pro-
cesses within the landscape. Specific interests are as follows:
land use monitoring, crop status (including yield, moisture
status, disease, state and biomass), soil status (including
soil type, moisture status, nutrient status and susceptibility
to erosion), management appraisal (rotation cycles, irrigation
scheduling, burning, chemical and organic applications), de-
tection/identification of catchment basis, river flow monito-
ring, and planning of urban and industrial areas.
The provision of regional and national estimates of agri-
cultural output is of paramount importance to national, CEC,
and international policy making.
Interest in sea/ocean monitoring stems from a need to
understand ice/ocean dynamics with research presently investi-
gating: ice extent (seasonal and present location), ice con-
centration (fast ice and concentration boundaries), ice form
(flow size distribution), leads opening, ice drift (velocity
and direction), estuarine, seaway and coastal ice. concentra-
tions, ice/ocean temperature flux, ocean currents (eddy, for-
mation and fronts), and ocean and coastal pollution monitoring.
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