Story. The Laboratory of Antennas and remote sensing dates back to the year 1980, thanks to the initiative of Prof. d’Auria and colleagues who started a pioneer research activity applying the methodologies of radio propagation and antennas to the problem of remotely sensing the environment by electromagnetic techniques. Early studies concerned the diagnosis of the atmosphere, its constituents and turbulence and the effect they produce on the statistical properties of the electromagnetic waves propagating through it, or being emitted and collected by a microwave radiometer antenna. Experimental activities using infrared and microwave radiometers and propagation links were carried out as well.
Today. The Laboratory of Antennas and remote sensing is located on the third floor of the DIET premises. The research activities are carried out in close connection with the experimental facility of the joint Laboratory of RadioMeteorology.
Main Research Topics.
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Modelling the interaction of electromagnetic waves and natural media (e.g., the atmosphere, land and ocean surfaces);
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Inverting the models to retrieve bio-geophysical parameters from remotely sensed data, especially spaceborne microwave sensors;
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Using the electromagnetic simulation tools to design new mission concepts covering diverse application requirements in the field of meteorology, hydrology, hazard, and so on (e.g., bistatic radar systems, GNSS Reflectometry, new concepts of microwave radiometers);
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Analyzing and processing data collected from space for different environmental and security applications (e.g., soil moisture, atmospheric precipitation and water vapor, earthquake damage assessment, flood mapping, vegetation monitoring) in interdisciplinary project teams;
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Investigating the radio propagation through the atmosphere for telecommunication applications in different frequency bands;
The work is performed in the frame of national and space cooperation’s, and generally promoted by Space Agencies (e.g., ESA, ASI) or the European Union. PhD students have the opportunity to develop their research and skill in the electromagnetic applications of remote sensing and Earth Observation from space, with particular emphasis on microwave sensing (radars and radiometers).
People.
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Prof. Nazareno Pierdicca (staff) email
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Prof. Frank Silvio Marzano (staff) email
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Dr. Saverio Mori (research contractor)
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Dr. Fabio Fascetti (research contractor)
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Ing. Roberta Anniballe (research contractor)
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Dr. Luigi Mereu (research contractor)
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Dr. Marianna Biscarini (research contractor)