ROSÆ, Inc.
448 Sandy St.
Waveland,
MS 39576
July 27, 2005
MIRIAH's
Mission requirements as a function of technology
(Grisham, US Patent No. 6,452,532)
An Overview of Microwave
Imaging:
All
present day operational imaging satellites use sensors which are dependent on
the size of the physical aperture (antenna) for their spatial resolution
performance, and on physical filters for their spectral resolution performance.
Economic realities then force these satellites into low altitude orbits, which
greatly limits the coverage area, and so greatly increases the number of
satellites for global coverage. MIRIAH (Grisham, Patent No: US 6,452,532),
which was recently issued, overcomes this and many other limitations
Microwave
frequencies (from about 30 MHz to about 60 GHz ) are the only frequencies
available for practical imaging with very
fine resolution at all times, day or
night, some of which also which have the attributes of penetration of the earth's atmosphere in all weather (through clouds, fog, or other obscurants
including soil, snow, rock, etc.). All other imaging media lack one or more
of these attributes (e.g., Optical, Infrared, etc.).
(1) Range/Doppler (SAR,
etc.), and (2) Interferometry are the only practical technologies available for
this kind of imaging. Technology (1) accounts for
the majority of these systems (e.g., SAR, ISAR, InSAR, etc.). However, only (2)
enables a large Field of View (FOV), fine resolution, and low power levels.
This is because (2) is the only practical technology, which offers a convergent
illumination of the FOV, and so offers a 2nd Power-Aperture in
tandem with the 1st Power-Aperture. (This enables a huge
"boost" in the signal energy density). This greatly reduces cost and
greatly increases "Supply" (as in "Demand" and
"Supply"). But the "window" of opportunity presented by
Physics is so narrow for all Interferometry, that only MIRIAH is practical from
Satellites. So only MIRIAH is economically practical for Commercial Imaging
(e.g., a SAR global service, greatly inferior to MIRIAH in every
"Demand" attribute, will cost about 50 $Billion compared to MIRIAH's
400 $Million). Then since MIRIAH's resolution also provides 1000 times more
information, we can easily justify a benefit/cost ratio improvement of
MIRIAH/SAR in from 10,000 / 1 - to - 100,000 / 1
Reconstruction
of images from the data, provided by all of satellite imaging technologies,
proceeds on two (2) levels. These are (1) the spatial domain (you are viewing
this document in the spatial domain), and (2) the frequency domain (submarines
and whales "chirp" sound frequencies to "see" objects at a
distance in the frequency domain). The imaging industry uses data of type (2)
to automatically discriminate, isolate, and rapidly identify species by machine
(using computers, etc.). These techniques are known as "GIS", or
Ground Information Systems. The industry uses data of the (1) type to identify
species by human cognition (one target at a time). GIS on the other hand can
simultaneously catalog hundreds of thousands of targets, and automatically
separate them into separate classes over a huge FOV. In other words, systems
are needed in both of these domains for the efficient location and cognition
of targets over huge, even global ranges in a reliable (1), yet timely (2) manner.
Automatic
GIS is only possible for those systems, which provide symmetric square matrixes
of data. Since MIRIAH uses ROSÆ 's orbital architecture, it too has resonant
orbits whose FOV (Field of View) cycles exactly 10 times every Sidereal Day,
with orbital sub satellite traces displaced symmetrically about the world. Then
10 channels (10 frequencies) are needed to make the matrixes square, and
symmetric. MIRIAH provides a multi-spectral capability. Hence, MIRIAH enables
automatic target selection and identification in real time (after the data
becomes available in near real time). MIRIAH is the only satellite architecture,
with the requirements for global automatic GIS in real time.
The
"Uncertainty Principle" of Physics makes it impossible for a single
sensor system to have fine resolution in both the (1) and (2) domains. (One
system cannot be both wide band and narrow band at the same time). Rather, it
is necessary to have both (1) and (2) systems aboard the same sensor platform
in order to have both rapid identification by individual species globally, and
yet isolate precisely designated imagery for positive identification via human
cognition. MIRIAH is the only known satellite architecture, with the requirements
for imaging systems in both of these domains.
Interferometers
have technology limitations, which greatly limit satellite architectures, which
can offer practical imaging. These limitations are so severe, that to date only
MIRIAH has been able to satisfy these extremely demanding limitations. When one
extends these limitations in three dimensions, as needed for holography (and
3-D imaging), it is evident MIRIAH is the only possible architecture, which
can offer fine resolution in both of these domains. For this is only possible
via the ROSÆ architecture (Grisham, Patent No.: US 3,243,706). For ROSÆ is the
only global architecture, which has constant, and balanced 1st and 2nd
Moments, which are Co-linear, Symmetric, and Orthogonal about the center of the
earth. Furthermore, at the ROSÆ satellite density there will be no gaps or excessive distortions in the
global database at any time, plus it will become a highly redundant and robust Intelligence asset. Therefore, MIRIAH -
ROSÆ is the superior Intelligence tool, for both Commercial and Government Services.
The "Synthetic
Aperture":
The
"synthetic aperture" is developed on matched filters at the MIRIAH
satellites, over a "fully filled" period, which varies by satellite
population density and target type from about 30 minutes to 6 hours. (The more
useful populations are MIRIAH*3, which has 3 Satellites, MIRIAH*4 = 4
Satellites, MIRIAH*6, MIRIAH*8, and MIRIAH - ROSÆ = 12 Satellites. In all cases their epochs occupy one or more of
ROSÆ 's epochs). The initial "unfilled" status of the matched filter
records the imagery data from MIRIAH, which constitutes a huge "sparse
phased array" (a type of antenna) in the case of MIRIAH*3 (or higher
populations). When "fully filled", the matched filter is a scaled
replica of the imagery data as though it were from an array with a diameter of
12,000 to 18, 000 miles. This is not a real antenna, rather it is only
synthesized by the matched filter, which replicates the data as though it were
from a real array (with the same huge Gain, but uses far fewer and cheaper
electromagnetic and electronic systems, discs, etc.). For the 6 and 8 Satellite
constellations, all polar orbits are most efficient, but for the 3, 6, and 12
Satellite constellations, polar and equatorial orbits are the norm.
Fine Resolution:
(1)
Fine
Spatial Resolution is needed
to improve accuracy of human
cognition of target or specie identification and status.
(2)
Fine
Spectral Resolution is needed
to enable more efficient machine
cognition of target or specie identification and status.
High Contrast:
(1)
High
contrast is needed to reduce the
relative background noise in images, so that objects have a larger
number of gray levels and so edge enhancement of objects can be more accurate.
(2)
High
contrast is needed to increase the
penetration of the surroundings so that the ground clutter and interference
can be suppressed in order to highlight the target or objects of interest
through any intervening screen. (from clouds, haze, trees, soil, etc.).
Lower Unit Cost:
(1)
High Gain decreases unit cost.
(2)
Large FOV (Field of View) decreases
unit cost.
Higher Unit Demand:
(1)
Fine Resolution increases unit demand.
(2)
Faster Timeliness increases unit demand.
(3)
Lower Unit Cost increases unit demand.
(4)
Greater Unit Supply increases overall demand
quantities.
(4.1)
Large FOV increases supply, and so overall demand.
(5)
More Accuracy and
Reliability increases unit demand.
(5.1)
Orthogonality.
(5.2)
Linearity
(5.3)
Stability
(5.4)
Conformality
(5.5)
Accurate
focusing throughout FOV
(5.6)
Synchronization
(5.7)
Symmetry
(in 3-D)
(6)
Random Access increases unit demand
(global multi-access, etc.)
(7)
Greater Simplicity increases unit demand.
(7.1)
Fewer
Satellites per covered area
(7.2)
No
discontinuities in coverage (and imagery data).
(7.3)
No
excessive distortions in imagery data.
(7.4)
Simpler
Satellite design consistent with performance requirements
(7.5)
Repeating
sub satellite traces
(7.6)
Constant
speed antennae drives
(8) Compatibility with prior technology increases unit demand.
(9) Timeliness increases unit demand.
(9.1)
MIRIAH's
globally interlocking links eliminates the "store and forward" delay
in all other satellite sensors, which increases demand.
(9.2)
MIRIAH's
higher altitude increases coverage rate and demand.
(9.3)
MIRIAH
has fast response time systems for control increases demand.
(9.4)
Since
MIRIAH's image reconstruction is analog, its processing time is minimum, which
increases demand.
(10)New capabilities increases unit demand.
(10.1) 3-D
Holography increases human cognition.
(10.2) Multi
Spectral Microwave increases machine cognition speed & accuracy.
(10.3) Bi-Static
Viewing and Image Interpretation is more natural to man.
(10.4) Volume
and Density Identification is critical to agricultural yield data
(10.5) Self
Formatting Imagery Data Base (via Interferometry)
(10.6) Automatic
Matched Filter Construction (all Analog with disc - to - orbit synched
systems operations).
(10.7) Penetration
imaging to greater depths than previously possible from Satellites.
MIRIAH's
Mission Requirement as a Function of Operations for
Commercial
Imaging
Economic specifications: A Microwave Imaging
service, with as large a Benefit/Cost Ratio and International Balance of
Payment capability as possible. Maximum global service requires a huge imaging
swath (to keep “Supply” up to global “Demand”). Minimum Cost, requires an
extremely large "synthetic aperture", and as many coherent
Power-Apertures as are feasible.
Operational specifications: A global microwave imaging
service, with sufficient sampling rates, coverage area, and hyper-spectral
content to meet the requirement to fully exercise models replicating the daily
excursions of all of the major specie life cycles, under the daily solar energy
cycle, in time to take corrective action to optimize the health & welfare
of our planet's life forms. This requires ten image refreshment samples per day
to meet the Nyquist rate for these five (5) sample points: (1) dawn, (2) day,
(3) dusk, (4) night, and (5) the daily seasonal trends. To automate the
determination for specie identification, a minimum automated system requires a
square matrix comprised of ten spectral channels for these ten sampling events
e.g., for computer analysis of 10 x l0 matrix for Eigenvector, Eigenvalue, for
automatic specie identification, etc.
Requirement Overview. MIRIAH is a Satellite architecture, which is primarily designed for
near real time, day or night, all weather, fine resolution, imaging of the
earth’s surface and subsurface. (See *Note below for MIRIAH's secondary purpose).
It is designed to have the ideal attributes needed to provide a global,
profitable, commercial imaging service. This imaging service will provide fresh
updates, day or night, in all weather, penetrating foliage and other obscurants,
including permeable soils. The microwave imagery will have high contrast, fine
resolution, will be accessible globally on an open demand basis (i.e., enabled
with multi-access), and will be hyper-spectral (in numerous separate channels)
and diverse in polarity. This
architecture will enable much larger Field’s of View (FOV) than formerly possible,
in order to assure an adequate commercial “Supply”, capable of keeping up with
any foreseeable commercial “Demand” for this service. The imagery data will
conform to square matrixes in order to enable automatic specie signature
determination within small tabletop terminals. Unit costs for this imagery will
be low in order to make this service economically attractive to the average
farm and ranch cooperative association, or city, or shrimp fleet, or truck
fleet, etc. The images will be accurately registered. The RF (microwave, etc.,)
spectrum usage of this invention will be far less than now allocated to this
purpose with today’s state-of-the-art (to conserve this limited resource).
*Note:
Secondarily, this invention will enable earth crust stress imaging, to predict
earthquake and volcano episodes, and to enable the imaging of moving objects,
e.g., aircraft, trucks, etc., for precise control of traffic to increase safety
in denser traffic patterns, etc. And,
in addition to earth imaging applications, this invention will be used for
penetration imaging of the body (human and animal) for medical applications.
Typical users and their
demands.
This imaging service will provide the tools needed to manage urban growth,
aging infrastructure, watersheds, traffic congestion and safety, declining or
recovering natural resources, etc.. It will provide detailed information on new
growth and harvesting of forests and agricultural crops. It will provide a
daily detailed survey on the geographic distribution of man made objects, and
natural species, as needed for the profitable management of farming, forestry,
fisheries, industry, and transportation. It will provide both present state and
transient trends in the rich multi-spectral format of its hyper-spectral environment.
Hence, users can privately select from a huge choice of computerized tools
(icons and tables on their private desktop terminal), to exactly manage the
unique goals of their farms, ranches, etc. It will identify diseased crops,
moisture transpiration rates, forest fire potential, mineral deficiency, crop
growth rate for individual species, estimates of regional crop yields, and
agricultural futures for efficient management, etc.
Farmers
and foresters are critically in need of volumetric information (3-D) on both
their own fields, but also the regional picture for the determination of
agricultural futures, for supplemental planting or replanting. Transportation
management is in need of more discriminative determination of vehicle types,
which is significantly improved by 3-D. This technology provides its
hyper-spectral and penetrating imaging in 3-D.
Its
penetration imaging mode will provide information on the underground aquifer
condition, moisture distribution, mineral deposits, underground strata
locations, gravel beds, precious metals, subsurface public works infrastructure
status, etc. And, when combined with its 3-D imaging capability, its
penetration capability will enable the determination of accurate mass growth
rate of species for the first time in the Remote Sensing art from Satellites.
In
a mode, which differences sequential holograms, MIRIAH will enable the imaging
of earth crust stress trends for earthquake and volcano predictions. DIFMIRIAH
will provide moving target information (MTI) on aircraft location, aircraft trajectory
prediction and collision avoidance for denser traffic patterns, etc. By adding
dual mode referencing, it will discriminate and track specific vehicle types,
and their location. Combined with MIRIAH’s penetration mode, it will provide
information on petroleum flow in pipes, breaks in pipes, leaks, etc.
MIRIAH's Mission
Requirements as a Function of Operations for
Government
Imaging
Requirement Overview. In addition to the
Commercial Requirements, which are important to Government Imaging, since
"Dual-Use" is an important economic and geopolitical strategy for this
service, the Government user is more critically in need of security.
Security. By sharing Communications
and Command and Control (C3I) functions across the same
intercontinental spanning space links, this will create an ideal environment
for security technologies. This is particularly powerful if the linkages are
symmetric, since this allows alternate routing without any changes in arrival
time and so changes in buffering and other signal processing (coding, decoding,
etc.). Clearly then, MIRIAH - ROSÆ's globally spanning linkages are an ideal
architecture from which to construct an optimum secure C3I
architecture. And, since the atmosphere is a wall of attenuation at Oxygen and
Water Vapor absorption frequencies, whereas MIRIAH - ROSÆ's space - to - space
intercontinental links are free of this absorption, then this too adds to the
isolation of this critical data flow from enemy intercept. Furthermore, since C3I
inter linking antennae for MIRIAH - ROSÆ have the property of constant 2nd
Moments about each satellite's pitch axis (see NOTE 2; to be found only with
this architecture), then extreme Gain is feasible. Wherein, this maximum Gain
delivers both minimum cost and maximum security (see NOTE 1).
NOTE
1: This latter is true within the proviso that side lobe suppressing antennae
designs are used, wherein side lobes are worse for conventional parabolic
antennae as the Gain increases in many cases. But this attribute lends itself
very well to laser or IR connections, wherein side lobes are easily suppressed.
NOTE
2: We assume most C3I satellites will use circular orbits, which
will keep a "belly down" attitude in order to communicate effectively
with the ground. In which case the satellite's 2nd Moment will align
along its pitch axis. Hence motion of the intra-satellite antennae will
actually add to the stability of the satellite, rather than contribute to precession
in the satellite (to enable minimum,
almost zero momentum dumping - a great saving to satellite energy and
weight, plus a virtue which adds to satellite lifetime).
The
periodic counter sweep (about once every 36 minutes) in the all space communication
beams, will greatly increase the potential for much finer phase control within
the MIRIAH - ROSÆ architecture. This will add to the phase precision to be
gained by MIRIAH's triad of Michelson Interferometers (used for extremely fine
precision phase closure). Therefore, the C3I phase discreteness will
be far finer than possible with any enemy intercept (which can not also have
these advantages). Then MIRIAH - ROSÆ's increased information rate can outpace
the decoding rate of any foreseeable enemy's intercepting capability.
Reliability and Robustness. MIRIAH - ROSÆ's globally
spanning network of 12 Satellites is highly redundant. For it is comprised of a
total of 48 to 96 inter-continental spanning links, wherein even with a 75%
failure, the system will still function reliably. Therefore failure is never
catastrophic, but is always a graceful degradation. This redundancy comes in
handy whenever any one of these very narrow beam widths "sees" the
sun (as the receiving satellite lines up with the sun, thereby increasing
"white" noise). For with the MIRIAH - ROSÆ architecture, one can then
switch to a "cold" link (without missing a C3I phase beat
- so to speak).
Alternative Satellite
Networks.
MIRIAH*6 (the six satellite version) is less costly than the twelve satellite
MIRIAH - ROSÆ architecture. For the former cuts the number of boosters in half,
and none of them needs to counter the earth's rotation during launch. Yet,
MIRIAH*6 retains a number of MIRIAH - ROSÆ's advantages. It will have 24 to 48
intra-satellite links, for example, but it will not be free of attitude
precession problems. Oddly then, within the MIRIAH - ROSÆ architecture, as one
moves from MIRIAH*3, to MIRIAH*6, to the full twelve satellite MIRIAH - ROSÆ,
the kinematic and dynamic systems within each satellite gets simpler for larger
satellite populations, rather than more complex (as one would expect). Also,
accuracy and performance will increase with population, and there are cost
saving advantages as the population increases.
Interference Suppression. MIRIAH has such an
extremely narrow bandwidth with its Michelson monitored phased closed CW signal
structure, that the problems with even finding and locking onto its signal will
be difficult if not impracticable. The Gain in MIRIAH's matched filter is so
high, that the signal level at the ground is far below the noise level. This
too adds the problems of acquiring the MIRIAH signal (for jamming).
Therefore,
since the government's present day GPS will experience interference difficulties
with the EU's Gallileo constellation, MIRIAH - ROSÆ could become a more secure
architecture for the next generation GPS.