Multi-Frequency Full-Polarization Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar (MFFP-GBSAR)
MWSE has developed the new Multi-Frequency Full-Polarization Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar (MFFP-GBSAR). Combining multi-frequency InSAR technology and full polarization, the MFFP can detect minute ground movements even under dense vegetation cover, bridging the gap between in-situ measurements and satellite radar data.
The MFFP GBSAR system represents a leap in radar monitoring technology. It operates across five radar bands (P, L, S, C, and X) – the full spectrum used by modern satellite constellations – using dedicated antennas to capture a unique picture of the terrain. Thanks to cutting-edge Interferometric SAR (InSAR) techniques, MFFP can measure ground deformations with extreme precision, revealing millimeter-scale movements that signal early stages of landslides or structural instability.
Its full polarimetric capability allows the MFFP to differentiate between various surface materials – for example, distinguishing solid ground from vegetation or snow. This rich data translates into more reliable measurements in challenging conditions, as the GBSAR multi-frequency approach penetrates dense foliage, mitigates atmospheric effects, and even works through rain or darkness. The result is a constant, autonomous monitoring solution that delivers actionable insights in near real-time, over distances up to four kilometers.
Real-World Applications: Landslide Monitoring Reinvented
The advanced features of the MFFP-GBSAR have direct impact on safety and environmental management. Landslide-prone slopes can now be monitored continuously, even those blanketed by forest or obscured by weather, where traditional optical methods fall short. By scanning a hillside and using InSAR to detect tiny shifts, MFFP acts as an early warning system – alerting authorities to instabilities long before a disaster strikes. This is crucial for protecting communities, roads, railways, and critical infrastructure in mountainous or hilly regions. The system’s multi-band, high-resolution imaging means that terrain movement under vegetation or snow cover is no longer invisible. Engineers and geologists can track how a slope behaves through different seasons, improving risk assessments and informing timely mitigation measures. Beyond natural landslides, MFFP ground-based radar monitoring is equally effective for civil engineering and mining applications – from observing the stability of dams and mine pits to checking structural integrity of bridges and buildings. Wherever knowing the slightest movement can prevent a catastrophe, the radar delivers peace of mind with data-driven precision.
Bridging Ground and Space Observations
One of the standout strengths of the MFFP-GBSAR is how it serves as a bridge between ground measurements and satellite observations. The system is capable of covering the same radar frequencies used by key Earth observation satellites – from P-band (used in ESA’s upcoming BIOMASS mission) and L/S-band (NASA-ISRO’s NISAR, ESA’s ROSE-L), to C-band (ESA’s Sentinel-1) and X-band (TerraSAR-X, COSMO-SkyMed, and others). This all-in-one coverage means the MFFP can effectively emulate and complement satellite SAR data, acting as a near “ground truth” reference. Researchers and space agencies can deploy the MWSE MFFP GBSAR to validate satellite radar readings, calibrate algorithms, and test new imaging techniques under controlled conditions. With its rapid-repeat scanning capability, the system provides hyper-temporal data – extremely frequent observations – that fill the data gaps between satellite overpasses.
By capturing changes on the ground in real time and in all radar wavelengths, the MWSE MFFP radar refines the interpretation of satellite imagery, leading to more accurate mapping of geohazards and environmental changes. In essence, MFFP brings the power of orbiting radars down to Earth, making cutting-edge Earth observation technology accessible on the local scale and ensuring that satellite missions can be cross-checked and improved with on-site precision measurements.
More information about the MFFP-GBSAR can be found here.
MSWE MFFP GBSAR measuring during the proof of concept done at Castell de Subirats.
MSWE GBSAR measurements. Image extracted from the presentation held during the WLF6.
Acknowledgements
This project has been financed by CDTI SNEO-20211101.
