This book provides a comprehensive overview of electromagnetic scattering from natural surfaces, ranging from the classical to the more recent (fractal) approach. As remote sensing applications become increasingly important, this text provides readers with a solid background in interpretation, classification and thematization of microwave images. The "scattering problem" is discussed in detail with emphasis on its application to electromagnetic wave propagation, remote sensing, radar detection, and electromagnetic diagnostics. Natural surface and fractals complete this treatise focusing on how the fractal model represents our natural environment and other planets in our solar system, most recently as used to research the planet Venus and Titan, one of the moons of Saturn. An example of how scattering, fractals, and natural surfaces are of great importance is the following: Natural oil slicks in the ocean have been found to be fractal while man-made ones (generated by illegal washing of oil carrying ships) are not. Processing of an ocean image from space may detect the latter by means of a fractal analysis.
*An elegant and clear treatment of a rigorous topic with informative prose and realistic illustrations of scattering
*Provides readers with a solid background in interpretation, classification, and thematization of microwave images
*The only book available on fractal models and their application to scattering

Synthetic Aperture Radar Processing simply and methodically presents principles and techniques of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image generation by analyzing its system transfer function. The text considers the full array of operation modes from strip to scan, emphasizes processing techniques, enabling the design of operational SAR codes. A simple example then follows.
This book will be invaluable to all SAR scientists and engineers working in the field. It may be used as the basis for a course on SAR image generation or as a reference book on remote sensing. It contains a wide spectrum of information presented with clarity and rigor.

This book addresses the role of social capital in promoting rural and local development. The recent financial and economic crises have exposed the European Union (EU) to an increased risk of social exclusion and poverty, which are now at the heart of its economic, employment and social agenda with explicit reference to rural and marginal areas (Europe 2020). The authors' work from the notion that rural development is not imposed from the 'outside', but depends also on endogenous factors, namely local cultural and ecological amenities, eco-system services, and economic links with urban areas which expand rural opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, employment and sustainable development. Social capital is of paramount importance because it helps build networks and trusting relations among local stakeholders in the public and private spheres, and supporting the enhancement of governance of natural resources in rural areas

Effective Surveillance for Homeland Security: Balancing Technology and Social Issues provides a comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art methods and tools for the surveillance and protection of citizens and critical infrastructures against natural and deliberate threats. Focusing on current technological challenges involving multi-disciplinary problem analysis and systems engineering approaches, it provides an overview of the most relevant aspects of surveillance systems in the framework of homeland security. Addressing both advanced surveillance technologies and the related socio-ethical issues, the book consists of 21 chapters written by international experts from the various sectors of homeland security. Part I, Surveillance and Society, focuses on the societal dimension of surveillance-stressing the importance of societal acceptability as a precondition to any surveillance system. Part II, Physical and Cyber Surveillance, presents advanced technologies for surveillance. It considers developing technologies that are part of a framework whose aim is to move from a simple collection and storage of information toward proactive systems that are able to fuse several information sources to detect relevant events in their early incipient phase. Part III, Technologies for Homeland Security, considers relevant applications of surveillance systems in the framework of homeland security. It presents real-world case studies of how innovative technologies can be used to effectively improve the security of sensitive areas without violating the rights of the people involved. Examining cutting-edge research topics, the book provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the technological, legislative, organizational, and management issues related to surveillance. With a specific focus on privacy, it presents innovative solutions to many of the issues that remain in the quest to balance security with the preservation of privacy that society demands.

Effective Surveillance for Homeland Security: Balancing Technology and Social Issues provides a comprehensive survey of state-of-the-art methods and tools for the surveillance and protection of citizens and critical infrastructures against natural and deliberate threats. Focusing on current technological challenges involving multi-disciplinary problem analysis and systems engineering approaches, it provides an overview of the most relevant aspects of surveillance systems in the framework of homeland security. Addressing both advanced surveillance technologies and the related socio-ethical issues, the book consists of 21 chapters written by international experts from the various sectors of homeland security. Part I, Surveillance and Society, focuses on the societal dimension of surveillance-stressing the importance of societal acceptability as a precondition to any surveillance system. Part II, Physical and Cyber Surveillance, presents advanced technologies for surveillance. It considers developing technologies that are part of a framework whose aim is to move from a simple collection and storage of information toward proactive systems that are able to fuse several information sources to detect relevant events in their early incipient phase. Part III, Technologies for Homeland Security, considers relevant applications of surveillance systems in the framework of homeland security. It presents real-world case studies of how innovative technologies can be used to effectively improve the security of sensitive areas without violating the rights of the people involved. Examining cutting-edge research topics, the book provides you with a comprehensive understanding of the technological, legislative, organizational, and management issues related to surveillance. With a specific focus on privacy, it presents innovative solutions to many of the issues that remain in the quest to balance security with the preservation of privacy that society demands.

During the last twenty years the lifestyle of a large portion of the inhabitants of our planet has changed dramatically. This would never have been possible without the massive use of electronic and photonic technology, telecommuni cations, and computers. These disciplines are designed to code, transmit, detect, decode, and process signals and related information, and can be broadly addressed as information science and technology. In the sophisticated society in which we live and operate, this science is diffused transversely and plays a major role in almost every human activity. Information science and technology is the basis of a powerful industry that does not suffer the shortcomings of more traditional human enterprises. Information is a renewable source and its control and processing rely on software codes, which are a creation of the mind, and on related hardware, incredibly sophisticated but made out of simple, abundant materials. The rate of change and transformation of this industry is the highest mankind has ever experienced, and it requires not only the replacement of technologies but also a continuous updating of expertise to keep up with the rapid transformation. There is no doubt that this calls for a change in university training, to avoid students graduating at an already obsolete level."

During the last twenty years the lifestyle of a large portion of the inhabitants of our planet has changed dramatically. This would never have been possible without the massive use of electronic and photonic technology, telecommuni cations, and computers. These disciplines are designed to code, transmit, detect, decode, and process signals and related information, and can be broadly addressed as information science and technology. In the sophisticated society in which we live and operate, this science is diffused transversely and plays a major role in almost every human activity. Information science and technology is the basis of a powerful industry that does not suffer the shortcomings of more traditional human enterprises. Information is a renewable source and its control and processing rely on software codes, which are a creation of the mind, and on related hardware, incredibly sophisticated but made out of simple, abundant materials. The rate of change and transformation of this industry is the highest mankind has ever experienced, and it requires not only the replacement of technologies but also a continuous updating of expertise to keep up with the rapid transformation. There is no doubt that this calls for a change in university training, to avoid students graduating at an already obsolete level.

This book collects the revised lectures held at Capri (Italy) in the period 2-6 May, 1988 in occasion of the International Course on "Worldwide Nonionizing Radiation Safety Standards: Their Rationales and Problems." The Course was organized by IRECE (Institute for Research in Electromagnetism and Electronic Components) of CNR (Italian National Council for Research) and was directed by professors Giorgio Franceschetti and Om P. Gandhi. The idea for this course arose from the continuing wide disparity in the electromagnetic (EM) radiation safety standards worldwide, and the confusion that this has caused in the public mind. The safety guidelines in the western countries have been nearly three orders of magnitude greater than the safety levels in the Eastern European countries. Even though the former have been slightly reduced and the latter have been increased somewhat in recent years, there is still a wide gap in the EM safety standards that are used. With the ever increasing use of EM energy the public is becoming increasingly aware of and concerned about the potential biohazards of EM fields. This problem is compounded by inadequate knowledge of nonthermal mechanisms of interaction of EM fields with biological systems. The lecturers for the Course were the recognized leaders in their respective areas within the discipline of Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields.

Awarded by the International Calabria's Prize!
This multidisciplinary volume originates from lectures presented at a short course on wireless communications in Capri, Italy. This globally attended conference has produced an exceptional book written by pioneers in the field. Lecturers at Capri included pillars in the fields of electromagnetics, communications, information technology and mathematics. As communications technology becomes increasingly wireless, an interdisciplinary viewpoint is necessary for professionals to correct problems and avoid others before they occur.
"Wireless Networks" covers critical technology within WLAN, ad hoc networks, data distribution, TV, radio, and personal mobile devices. As networks become wireless, engineers face increased difficulty securing its malleable boundaries. This book discusses security solutions such as sensor technology that prevent unwanted intrusion. Connectivity is also addressed, featuring chapters on antennas, bandwidth and frequencies. Editors Franceschetti and Stornelli have done a great service to the wireless communications community in creating a compendium that delivers this spectrum of essential information in one reference.
*Presents a uniquely panoramic view of wireless networks with viewpoints from engineering, computing, and mathematics
*The technology is discussed in theory as well as in practice to help engineers design and modify networks
*Globally recognized experts share their critical insight on sensor technology, transfering protocol, ad-hoc networks, and more