Constrained Iterative Adaptive Algorithm for the Detection and Localization of RFI Sources Based on the SMAP L-Band Microwave Radiometer

Abstract

The Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) satellite carries an L-band microwave radiometer. This sensor can be used to observe global soil moisture (SM) and sea surface salinity (SSS) within the protected L-band spectrum (1400–1427 MHz). Owing to the complex effects of radio frequency interference (RFI), the SM and SSS data are missing or have low accuracy. In this paper, a constrained iterative adaptive algorithm for the detection, identification, and localization of RFI sources is designed, named MICA-BEID. The algorithm synthesizes antenna temperatures for the third and fourth Stokes parameters before RFI filtering, creating a new polarization parameter called WSPDA, designed to approximate the level of RFI interference on the L-band microwave radiometer. The algorithm then utilizes the WSPDA intensity and distribution density of RFI detection samples to enhance the identification and classification of RFI sources across various intensity levels. By utilizing statistical methods such as the probability density function (PDF) and the cumulative distribution function (CDF), the algorithm dynamically adjusts adaptive parameters, including the RFI detection threshold and the maximum effective radius of RFI sources. Through the application of multiple iterative clustering methods, the algorithm can adaptively detect and identify RFI sources at various satellite orbits and intensity levels. Through extensive comparative analysis with other localization results and known RFI sources, the MICA-BEID algorithm can achieve optimal localization accuracy of approximately 1.2 km. The localization of RFI sources provides important guidance for identifying and turning off illegal RFI sources. Moreover, the localization and long-time-series characteristic analysis of RFI sources that cannot be turned off is of significant value for simulating the spatial distribution characteristics of localized RFI source intensity in local areas.