Instrumentation MTRI applies cutting-edge remote sensing and geospatial analysis techniques to understand natural and manmade environments. To be at the forefront of the industry, staff are constructing and using innovative technologies which includes engineering sensors, RADAR, and computer clusters to improve project results. Details of the instramentation developed by MTRI are listed below. Keweenaw Waterway North Buoy - Michigan Tech University and MTRI are implementing key observing systems and modeling improvements that focus on critical needs of the Great Lakes region that affect the health, ecological integrity and economic viability of the region. Priority issues are climate change impacts, ecosystem and food web dynamics, protection of public health, and navigation safety and efficiency. The Lake Superior Water Monitoring and Information System focuses on education, research, and development of technology to sense and understand the Great Lakes environment.>>> Reconfigurable Compact Range and Facility - A compact range measurement facility is being utilized to support research for radar imaging and radar cross-section measurements. The range instrumentation is built around Hughes MMS-300 radar that supports fully polarimetric measurements over the frequency range of 4.5 to 18 GHz. We are currently extending the range of operation to 94 GHz. >>> Automated Lagrangian Water Quality Analysis System (ALWAS) – ALWAS is an inexpensive, free-floating, water quality measuring and watershed evaluation system. It includes the buoy, water quality and parameter sensors, a microprocessor and recording device, geographic information system (GIS) interface software, and a decision support system (DSS) that generates water quality maps based on the measurements. >>> Ablatometer – The Glacier Ablation Sensor (GAS) is a measurement and data-logging system intended to collect information on glacier movement and melting. Based on an inexpensive, automated, electronics package developed at Altarum, it is capable of making a wide range of measurements rapidly and simply, storing the results for later retrieval and analysis. >>> Optical Phenomenology Lab – Provides a facility to make a wide variety of coherent and incoherent measurements. The lab can be configured, as an example, for interferometric and fringe measurements suitable for concept evaluation. Spatial Analysis Lab – Consists of a full suite of GIS and remote sensing software, a large and scalable storage system, and large-format printing capabilities. GIS software includes ESRI’s ArcGIS (ArcInfo), ArcIMS, ArcSDE, ArcPad, Spatial Analyst, and the Geostatistical Analyst; remote sensing software includes ERDAS Imagine, ENVI with IDL, ERMapper, Definiens eCognition, and other relevant software including Google Earth Professional and Trimble Pathfinder Office. The SAL data storage system holds up to 6 terabytes of spatial data, and has a comprehensive collection of GIS layers for study areas including the Great Lakes region and Alaska. MTRI operates two ArcIMS servers, an Image Web Server, a remote access GIS server, six high-speed GIS workstations, and a sub-meter capable Trimble GeoXT GPS unit. >>> Cluster Computer – MTRI houses and operates one of the Tech computing clusters. This resource is available to all Tech staff and students who might need to run computationally intensive, or highly parallel, tasks. The system consists of 3 nodes containing 72 CPUs, 192 GB of RAM, and 4.5TB of disk storage. The system memory and storage can be expanded as needed. There is space remaining for an additional 6 nodes (144 CPUs) i n the current equipment rack. >>> Bathyboat – A new, cost-effective, easily-deployable, water depth mapping tool for restricted harbors and other hard-to-access remote locations. The University of Michigan Marine Hydrodynamics Laboratory (MHL) in collaboration with the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) has designed, fabricated, and field tested this remotely controlled and electrically powered boat to conduct precision bathymetric surveys. >>> Field Data Collection – One of MTRI’s core competencies is the collection of field data. Data is collected for verification of remotely sensed imagery, calibration of models, proof of concept, and for primary research to address scientific hypothesizes. Our team has expertise in both aquatic and terrestrial data collection. >>> Ground Penetrating RADAR (GPR) – MTRI is researching and using GPR in the following areas to image the subsurface; ice penetration technology, underground waterflow, 3-D underground imaging, non-destructive testing, foilage/biomass measurement, soil moisture/salt intrusion measurement, permafrost imaging/characterization, avalanche/mine rescue, and signal/image processing, RADAR system design, compressed sensing research. >>> |
Link to Instruments
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