SOME RESULTS OF TESTING AND APPLICATION OF MICROWAVE REMOTE SENSING METHODS 
FOR ESTIMATION OF GROUNDS AND WATERS STATE 
Dr. B. M. Liberman, Senior scientist, Dr. A.G. Grankov, Senior scientist, A. A. Milshin, Senior scientist 
Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia 
Dr. V. S. Dragun, Head of Department, Dr. A. A.Kovalev, Director 
Scientific and Research Centre "ECOMIR", Academy of Sciences of Belarus Republic 
Dr. V.I.Melnik, Senior scientist 
Hydrometeorological Centre of Belarus Republic 
Dr. S.v.Braun, Director 
TOPOGRAMM GmbH, Weilheim, Germany 
Commission VII, Working Group 5 
KEY WORDS: Remote Sensing, Earth Survey, Geophysical Parameters Determination, 
ABSTRACT 
Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics (IRE) Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) and Institute of 
Geoinformatics, Ltd (IGI) together with organizations in different regions of former USSR and abroad hai 
conducted the number of experiments for estimating the Earth surface geophysical parameters by means of remote 
sensing methods at different wavelength ranges. Experiments includes testing of equipment and software along the 
special test lines for estimation of method accuracy in different conditions with the simultaneous ground 
measurements and thematic mapping of some geophysical parameters from the boards of aeroplanes and 
helicopters in regions, selected by customers.. 
IRE had developed algorithms and together with IGI elaborated software for estimating a surface soil moisture, 
depth to a shallow water table, vegetation biomass, water mineralization and temperature variations using the of 
remote sensing multichannel measurements data. IGI had elaborated and manufactured microwave devices (MCW 
radiometers) for all mentioned measurements and elaborated methods and software for passive microwave remote 
sensing data processing in the presence of some kinds of radiointerference 
In presented paper are given some results of Remote Sensing method application for determination of a number of 
geophysical parameters, including results of comparison microwave remote sensing and contact data along the 
flight lines, conducted in Republic Belarus jointly by specialists of IGI Ltd. and Scientific Research Centre 
"ECOMIR" (Academy of Sciences of Belarus Republic) and Hydrometeorological Centre of Belarus Republic, and 
examples of thematic mapping of some regions in Belorussia and Southern Bavaria, conducted by IGI Ltd 
separately and together with TOPOGRAMM GmbH, Weilheim, Germany respectively. 
INTRODUCTION. EQUIPMENT. EXPERIMENTS ORGANISATION 
PRINCIPLE. 
Remote sensing of ground and water state gives the real 
possibility of environment monitoring. Passive means For measurements portable and light microwave 
played it’s own important role in solving of ecological radiometers on wavelengths 2.25, 6, 21, 27 cm and two 
and economy problems. The main characteristics of channel spectrometers at spectral window 500 - 700 
remote sensing methods are their accuracy, required nm were used. The infrared radiometer works in 
time for the measurements, data processing and  waveband 2 - 20 mkm with the number of filters. The 
interpretation, validation, compatibility with other helicopter Mi-2 and aeroplane D 228 were used as 
remote and contact sensors, number of determined installation platforms. Main characteristics of 
geophysical parameters. radiometers are given in Table 1. 
In that case passive microwave, infrared and optical ^ The examples of used equipment are given on Figures | 
devices, installed on the aircraft board gives possibility ^ and 2. 
to obtain quantitative estimations of the environment Antennas on decimetre waves were made as plam 
state (Shutko, 1986; Liberman, 1994). microstrip structures, for centimetre radiometers Wer 
Some results of testing and application of remote ^ used horns. Spatial resolution on microwaves Was 
sensing methods, peculiarities of GPS system using, about 35 , in visible waverange - about 6 degrees. 
accuracy, and other problems of earth survey are. The information from remote sensors was recorded in 
discussed in presented paper. Experiment principles, digital form on floppy disk using IBM PC, installed on 
used equipment are described. the board of the aeroplane and helicopter too. The 
example of registration system is presented on Figure 3 
All antennas were located in the shafts of aeroplane 
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International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B7. Vienna 1996