ABSTRACT
Chapter 8 describes the integration (synergy) concept related to multisensor remote sensing (MSS) of ocean environments. A realistic example is payload consisting of three different instruments-optical sensor, radar, and microwave radiometer that provide data acquisition and ocean target detection at the same region simultaneously. The methodology of interpretation and application is based on so-called Synergy System Approach (SSA). SSA means the integration of all instrumentations, data acquisition, and processing techniques into a unit synergy technological (smart) remote sensing system. A physics-based motivation of the SSA is the following: (1) target-related complex events represent localized nonstationary synergetic hydrodynamic phenomena consisting of many geophysical effects and variables, (2) the signatures of the interest appear only in certain space-time-frequency domains, (3) detection is the entire roaming process, (4) because of stochastic, unpredictable, and multi-variable ocean environment, the number of participating sensors to be placed as much as possible, and (5) detection performance is much higher for MSS than for selected single-type-band sensor. Synergy between physical phenomena, detection technology, and data analyses may require more detailed scientific research including field and laboratory experiments. Currently, purposeful ocean studies can be organized and conducted using advanced remote sensing MSS and numerical modeling and simulations using methods of computer fluid dynamics (CFD). It is assumed that the MSS-SSA approach may provide an innovative way for the solution of the detection problem. Both fusion and non-fusion techniques can be employed for this goal.
