GeoSAR program: IFSAR validation and terrain classification from polarimetry

Robert G. Carlisle; Mark E. Davis

doi:10.1117/12.242026

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10 June 1996 GeoSAR program: IFSAR validation and terrain classification from polarimetry

Robert G. Carlisle, Mark E. Davis

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Proceedings Volume 2757, Algorithms for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery III; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.242026
Event: Aerospace/Defense Sensing and Controls, 1996, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The GeoSAR (geographic synthetic aperture radar) program is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) sponsored program organized in cooperation with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Department of Conservation. Some aspects of the program have been existent for almost two years. The technical goal of the program has been the development of rapid-mapping radar technologies, and has now, as its principal challenge, the development of a capability for terrain mapping under foliage. In this paper, we discuss validation of current technology and examine the utility of data products currently produced by the Environmental Research Institute of MIchigan's (ERIM) IFSARE, JPL's TOPSAR, and JPL's AIRSAR. We find that ERIM's X-band IFSARE system produces elevation maps to better than 2-m accuracy. Based on this we determine that TOPSAR elevation maps are accurate to at least 5 m. We also demonstrate the utility of JPL's AIRSAR's L-band radar polarimetry for terrain classification.

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Robert G. Carlisle and Mark E. Davis "GeoSAR program: IFSAR validation and terrain classification from polarimetry", Proc. SPIE 2757, Algorithms for Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery III, (10 June 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.242026

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