Shape matching algorithm for detecting radar hidden targets to determine internal layers in Antarctic ice shelves

Antarctic ice shelves are the fringes of ice sheets, that stifle the ice flow into the ocean. Determining the presence of internal layers in these ice shelves is very important for accurate measurement of the ice shelf melt rate. This paper introduces a novel method to detect presence of an internal layer (if there is any) that is masked by high amplitude antenna direct coupling returns or near surface clutter. The method uses the shape of the basal layer return to match with the radar signal returns throughout the range profile. Instead of usual cross correlation weighting, this method uses ranking system to determine likelihood. Experimental results are also shown and described in the paper. The raw data has been acquired from the Foundation ice stream, George VI, and Larsen ice shelf in Antarctica. Phase sensitive FMCW radar developed at UCL and pRES radar system developed at British Antarctic Survey (BAS) have been used for the data acquisition. The results validate that the method can be used for detection of internal layers or any other hidden features inside ice shelf.