A polarimetric Doppler radar time‐series simulator for biological applications. Issue 4 (14th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stepanian, Phillip M.; Mirkovic, Djordje; Chilson, Phillip B.
• Editors: Horning, Ned; Duncan, Clare
• Is Part Of: Remote sensing in ecology and conservation. Volume 4:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 285
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2018-04-14
• Subjects: Aeroecology -- agent‐based modelling -- individual‐based modelling -- polarimetry -- simulation -- weather surveillance radar; Remote sensing -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Research -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Remote sensing -- Periodicals; Nature conservation -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 577.0723
• DOI: 10.1002/rse2.80
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-3485

Abstract

Abstract: The high mobility of airborne organisms makes them inherently difficult to study, motivating the use of radars and radar networks as biological surveillance tools. While the utility of radar for ecological studies has been demonstrated, a number of challenges remain in expanding and optimizing their use for surveillance of birds, bats and insects. To explore these topics, a Lagrangian simulation scheme has been developed to synthesize realistic, polarimetric, pulsed Doppler radar baseband signals from modelled flocks of biological point scatterers. This radar simulation algorithm is described, and an application is presented using an agent‐based model of the nocturnal emergence of a cave‐dwelling colony of Brazilian free‐tailed bats ( Tadarida brasiliensis ). Dual‐polarization radar signals for an S‐band weather surveillance radar are synthesized and used to develop a new extension of the spectral velocity azimuth display for polarimetric roost‐ring signature analysis, demonstrating one capability of this simulation scheme. While these developments will have direct benefits for radar engineers and meteorologists, continuing investment in radar methods such as these will have cascading effects toward improving ecological models and developing new observational techniques for monitoring aerial wildlife. Abstract : Operational radar networks hold great promise as real‐time ecological observing systems, but developing biological retrieval algorithms and optimizing their use requires a method of modelling radar signals under known conditions. We developed a radar simulator that uses agent‐based models of airborne animals as an input for emulating user‐defined radar systems and scanning patterns. The synthesized radar signals can then be used for algorithm development, with the underlying agent‐based model serving as the retrieval "truth". This simulation scheme is demonstrated using an agent‐based model of the nocturnal emergence of a cave‐dwelling colony of Brazilian free‐tailed bats ( Tadarida brasiliensis ). Dual‐polarization radar signals for an S‐band weather surveillance radar are synthesized and used to develop a new extension of the spectral velocity azimuth display for polarimetric roost‐ring signature analysis, illustrating one capability of this simulation scheme.