1. ASEN 5168: Remote Sensing Instrumentation Design
Description
Surveys the principles of remote-sensing system design. Emphasis is placed on
satellite-borne visible and near-infrared instruments. Topics: Satellite remote-
sensing techniques, properties of the electromagnetic radiation, visible and
near-infrared detectors, imaging systems, radiometry, instrument-spacecraft
integration, and current and future remote-sensing systems.
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Outline
Overview
Background, Examples of Past, Current and Future Instruments, Intro to
Radiative Transfer
More RadiativeTransfer Basics - focus more on specifics of optical and
microwave radiation
Systems Engineering: Requirements Analysis and Functional Design
Systems Engineering: Design Optimization and Trade Studies
Systems Engineering: Development, Integration and Test
Optical Remote Sensing Instrumentation
Optics Overview (Snell's law, reflection, refraction, lenses, focal
length)
Optical Design (mirrors, telescopes, optimizing focal length, aperture,
field of view, etc. within constraints)
Detectors: Overview (photoelectric, semiconductor, CCD)
Detectors: Technological Challenges (real world examples of some common
issues)
Spectral Response (dichroics, filters, hyperspectral approaches),
Electronics: Overview (focal planes, signal integration, compression)
Electronics: Technological Challenges (more real world examples)
Instrument Characterization and Calibration
Instrument-to-Spacecraft Considerations (data transfer, power, mass,
volumn, jitter),
Design Example: MODIS
Passive microwave Remote Sensing Instrumentation
Differences Between Optical and Microwave Remote Sensing
Antennas: Overview (differences and similarities with telescopes)
Antennas: Design (optimization of antenna size and other parameters
within constraints)
Antennas: Technological Challenges (more real world examples)
Antenna Pattern Correction
Synthetic Apertures (as an example of how to overcome the size
constraint problem)
Multi-Sensor Remote Sensing (motivation for combining visible/infrared
and microwave, sensor-to-sensor and spacecraft-to-spacecraft
calibration/collocation issues)
Design Example: SSM/I
Active Microwave (Radar) Remote Sensing instrumentation
Differences Between Passive and Active Microwave Remote Sensing
Radar Design Optimization
Synthetic Aperture Radar
Design Example: Cloud Profiling Radar (CloudSat)
Benefits
Understand satellite sensor design.
Learn satellite sensing applications.
Understand optical and passive microwave sensors.
Understand the need for orbital measurements.
Prerequisites
Undergraduate physics or engineering physics.

2. Education Officer (EO)
Required
If an education officer (EO) is indicated as “required“ above, you will need an
EO to proctor exams for the course. An EO cannot be a student's relative,
friend, coworker, or someone who works for the student. The EO address must be a
business address. Provide, change, or update your EO information by completing
the EO Information Update form. To ensure we have the most updated EO
information, you must provide the EO information every semester “ even if it is
the same EO.
For those able to come to campus, CAETE provides free proctoring services.
Contact us at 303-492-6331 or caete@colorado.edu to schedule an exam
appointment.
If you have any questions regarding who qualifies to be an EO, see EO
information or contact CAETE.
Hardware & Software
Access to the Internet using hardware that has graphics and graphics hard copy
capabilities.
Sample Lectures and YouTube Vignettes
Lecture Title Semester Year Type
Fri, Jan 20, 12 59 PM Spring 2012 Lecture
Wed, Jan 18, 01 01 PM Spring 2012 Lecture
Wed, Jan 12, 12 57 PM Spring 2011 Lecture
Mon, Jan 10, 01 02 PM Spring 2011 Lecture
Thu, Jan 07, 03 01 PM Spring 2010 Lecture
Lecture 2 Spring 2010 Lecture
Upcoming & Previous Offerings
Meeting Days Legend: Monday (M), Tuesday (T), Wednesday (W), Thursday (R),
Friday (F), Saturday (S), Sunday (U)
Summer Terms: M = Maymester, A = 1st 5 weeks, B= 2nd 5 weeks, C = 8 weeks, D= 10
weeks
Refer to the Academic Calendar for specific dates.
top
Semester Term Time Days Location Instructor Additional Instructors
Spring 2012 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM MWF ECCS 1B12 Emery, B
Spring 2011 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM MWF ECCS 1B12 Emery, B
Spring 2010 01:00 PM - 01:50 PM MWF ECCS 1B12 Emery, B
Spring 2009 02:00 PM - 02:50 PM MWF ECCS 1B12 Emery, B
Spring 2008 02:00 PM - 02:50 PM MWF ECCS 1B12 Emery, B