The MetaSensing Electronic Corner Reflector - C band (ECR-C) is a compact active transponder developed for the end-users of satellite-borne C-band Synthetic Aperture Radars.

ECR-C brochure

​Advantages

  • A more compact alternative to standard passive corner reflectors, which can be meters in size

  • Allows for accurate calibration of satellite radar data, including location and atmospheric data

  • Operation frequencies compatible with Sentinel-1A and -1B and RADARSAT-2

Key features

  • Operational frequency: C-band (5.4 GHz)

  • Bandwidth: up to 100MHz

  • Capability to measure vertical displacements of 1 mm

  • Control and Configurations with a provided GUI

  • GSM/WiFi for remote control

  • GPS for clock and position information

  • Standard USB connection

  • Storage of up to 1000 activation and deactivation times

  • Size [mm]: 650 (L) x 400 (W) x 233 (H)

  • Weight: < 10 Kg

  • Power Supply: two field-replaceable batteries, solar panels, AC mains

  • Polarization: horizontal, vertical (user selectable via software)

  • Ascending and descending orbits covered with one transponder (user selectable via software)

ECR-C is a user-deployed permanent scatterer designed to receive a weak signal from a satellite radar, amplify and filter this signal, and transmit it back to the satellite. This allows for very precise measurements of location and relative displacement, invaluable for satellite-based Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (DInSAR) measurements.


 

The user is required to provide the time and duration of satellite overpasses, which can be uploaded to the ECR-C with a user-friendly control software over USB connection. The ECR-C is designed to have an active amplification mode while a satellite is passing overhead, and a sleep mode while waiting for a satellite to pass over.