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Executive Summary
New Techniques for Simultaneous SAR Interferometry
ESA Contract No.: 16100/02/NL/EC

Issue 1.0 / 1.12.2005

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ESA STUDY CONTRACT REPORT ESACONTRACTN 16100/02/NL/EC SUBJECT: New Techniques For Simultaneous SAR Interferometry Executive Summary STARCODE Noofvolumes:2 ThisisVolumeNo:1of2 ABSTRACT: The various applications of SAR interferometry have been extremely successful in the last decade. Some of them could perform even better if the data acquisition of the two (or even more) SAR channels would be done simultaneously in a single pass fly-over. For the case of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) this has been demonstrated with the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in the year 2000. The study starts with a stock taking of the problems involved with repeat-pass interferometry including scene decorrelation, atmospheric and polarimetric effects. The applications which would profit from a simultaneous SAR interferometeraresummarized.Forcompletionalsoquasi-simultaneousInSARhasbeeninvestigated. Two different directions for the realization of a space-borne single pass interferometer have been studied: First a satellite with multiple channels / antennas which are separated by booms (like with SRTM) and second a satellite formation flight and the associated orbits. For the single satellite option the interferometric baselinesmustbeasshortaspossibleandithasbeeninvestigatedwhetherhighradarcarrierfrequencieslike KuandKa-bandcanbeused. In order to be able to make predictions for the expected accuracy and the appropriate technical layout for new space-borne InSAR techniques, it was necessary to completely review the electromagnetic modelling of theoceansurface,baresoilandofvegetation. Furthermorerecentlyproposednewtechniqueshavebeeninvestigated: Tuneable InSAR where the wavenumber shift shall be compensated by a tuned secondary master oscillator. TheDelta-Kinterferometryworkingwithslightlydifferentcarrierfrequencies ThesuperresolutiontechniquetoimprovethegeometricresolutionofaSARimage ParameterInversionwithpolarimetricInSAR Alongtrackinterferometry(ATI)forthemeasurementofoceancurrents In a final assessment it has been compared what is the favourite realization (repeat pass, quasi simultaneous formation flight, single pass formation flight, satellite with mast) for the InSAR applications DEM generation, subsidence measurement, ocean currents and the derivation of parameters of forests, agriculture fields and othersurfaces. The study team was composed of 15 members from four DLR institutes (Remote Sensing Technology, MicrowavesandRadar,GermanSpaceOperationsCenterandtheInstitutforCompositeStructuresandAdaptive Systems) as well as three additional contributors from the consulting company AEL, the Institute for OceanographyoftheUniversityofHamburgandthesatellitemanufacturerEADS-AstriumofFriedrichshafen/ Germany. The work described in this report wasdoneunderESAContract.Responsibilityforthecontentsresidesinthe authorororganisationthatpreparedit. Namesofauthors:H.Runge(Editor)withcontributionsfrom:M.Eineder,S.Suchandt,A.Fusco,I.Hajnsek, K.Papathanassiou,G.Krieger,R.Scheiber,H.Fiedler,F.Jochim,M.Kirschner,E.Gill,C.Sickinger,T. Niederstadt,S.Cloude,R.Romeiser,C.Heer
NAMEOFESASTUDYMANAGER: NicolasFloury(TEC-EEP) DIV:ElectromagneticsandSpaceEnvironments(EE) DIRECTORATE:TEC ESABUDGETHEADING 060-GSP

CONTRACTOR Main : DLR Sub:AELConsultants,EADS Astrium,UniversityofHamburg CONTRACTOR'S REFERENCE

ESACR()No

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Author:H.Runge DeutschesZentrumfrLuft-undRaumfahrt(DLR)e.V. InstitutfrMethodikderFernerkundung D-82234Wessling,Germany Tel:08153-28-1364;Fax:08153-28-1444 Email:hartmut.runge@dlr.de

Simultaneous SAR interferometry offers a broad range of applications which are very attractive for many scientific disciplines. It can improve the results of existing techniques like the generation of Digital Elevation Models or the imaging of ocean currents and it has the potential of measuring biophysical parameters which could not be determined from space before. It shall be pointed out that for the analysis of fast decorrelating surfaces like the ocean or forests the use of simultaneous InSAR is mandatory. The combination of interferometry and polarimetry (PolinSAR) will allow for estimating the vertical structure and properties of vegetated surfaces on local and global scales. Parameters such as tree height, crown width, canopy density and the underlying ground topography are direct inputs into biomassdeterminationmodelsthatenablethemodellingofecologicalprocesses,forestinventoriesand predictivemodellinginhydrology. How can we improve existing Simultaneous SAR Interferometry technology? To give an answer the study starts with a summary of the relevant error contributions from the instrument (thermal LNA noise, quantization noise, phase drift) as well as orbit errors; SAR processor induced errors and phase errorsfromscenedecorrelationandatmosphericeffects. Since the dynamic range of the interferometric phase is inherently limited at the lower end by the thermalnoiseandatthehigherendbythe2ambiguity,improvedDEMaccuracycanonlybeachieved with better orbit and baseline measurements. This is also prerequisite when advanced multibaseline methods shall be applied, which require multiple imaging passes with different accurately adjustedbaselines. The scene coherence and the influence of atmospheric effects have been investigated for repeat passandforsinglepassSARinterferometryandweresubstantiatedwithcasestudiesbasedonERSand SRTM data. It has been proven that Single Pass Interferometry has several advantages over Repeat Pass Interferometry: There is no temporal decorrelation in Single Pass Interferometry. Due to this, the coherence is generally higher for the Single Pass case when compared with Repeat Pass case, especially for areaswithvegetation. For Single Pass Interferometry the phase/height-error through atmospheric path delay variation is negligible for usual orbit heights and for baselines up to the order of at least 10 km. On the contrary, significant phase/height errors due to atmospheric path delay must be expected for RepeatPassInterferometry. The effect of volumetric decorrelation is less present in single pass inteferometry data, since smallerbaselinesthaninrepeatpassinterferomertywillnormallybeused. Although atmospheric singularities like rain cells may increase the phase noise, but significant and systematic errors in the interferometric phase could not be observed in data from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM). It was found that even strong atmospheric disturbances do not systematically influence the interferometric phase in Single Pass InterferometryforbaselinelengthsintheorderasusedinSRTM.

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Another chapter is dedicated to considerations concerning the practical implementation of SAR interferometers on satellites. Large baselines require either a long boom (like with SRTM) or a satellite formation flight. New lightweight boom concepts are introduced which would allow for accommodation of long booms even on mini-satellites. However, an adapted Attitude and Orbit ControlSystem(AOCS)andprecisemeasurementsofthemastmovementswouldbenecessary. A big step towards a straight foreword realization could be achieved if it would be possible to fix the two interferometric antennas directly to the bus of a single satellite. This is already the case for the Cryosat and the TerraSAR-X satellites. The requirement for long baseline length could be relaxed if higher radar carrier frequencies could be used. In fact some applications like traffic monitoring; the mapping of ocean currents and DEM generation (if the top of the canopy shall be measured) would also work with high and very high carrier frequencies. It was found that the required radio frequency hardware for Ka-band (30-40GHz) and even W-Band (90-100GHz) is available in principal butnotalwaysspaceproven. Another technique which was analyzed to enable spaceborne SAR interferometry is the baseline construction with a satellite formation flight. The case of an alongtrack interferometer has been studiedindetail.Itwasshownthatacloseformationflightevenwithashortdistanceof30mbetween the two satellites is possible with today available technology. Autonomous control and beside GPS receivers an additional high precision distance meter between the two satellites are necessary. For across track interferometry possible orbits like Cartwheel, Pendulum and Helix were reviewed and no possibleshowstoppersforaSARsatelliteformationflightwerefound. Multi-satellite constellations were grouped into two major categories: (1) fully-active constellations where each satellite has both transmit and receive capabilities, and (2) semi-active satellite constellationswhichcombineanactiveilluminatorwithoneormorepassivereceivers. Satellite constellations are very attractive because the possibility of reconfiguration of the satellite formation allows for a flexible selection of interferometric baselines with almost arbitrary length. The study discusses several fully and semi-active radar constellations suitable for spaceborne SAR interferometry. Fully active constellations have in general a higher sensitivity and flexibility, are less prone to ambiguities, and enable easy phase synchronisation likeinthealternatingbistaticmodeorvia a direct exchange of radar pulses. Furthermore, they provide the pursuit monostatic mode as a natural fallbacksolutionincaseofproblemswithorbitcontrolorinstrumentsynchronisation. The quasi simultaneous InSAR (pursuit monostatic mode) had been simulated with DLRs airborne SAR in X-, C- and L-band. It was found that temporal decorrelation occurs in X- and C-band already within a few minutes not only for high vegetation (like found in forests) but also for lower vegetation on agricultural fields. In conclusion, a quasi-simultaneous InSAR mission with independent monostatic acquisitions can not be recommended at X- or C-band. However, L-band proves to be more robust against short time decorrelation effects. Nevertheless, temporal decorrelation can occur also at L-band incaseofstrongerwindconditions. The next chapter describes the background of Polarimetric SAR Interferometry, which is sensitive to both, the vertical distribution of scatterers and their shape and orientation differences. To date, polarimetric interferometry has been used mainly for vegetation mapping applications, especially those concerned with forestry and woodland ecology studies. Important parameters which can be gainedarevegetationheightandinformationconcerningthebiomass.Inforeststheunderlyingground topography,soilmoistureaswellasthevegetationextinctioncanberevealed. Starting with the definition of surface parameters a brief review of scattering models development for backscattering amplitude and an extension to polarimetric coherence information is given. As a specialcaseoffullypolarimetricobservablesfromSARthesub-apertureapproachandtheeffectonthe surfaceparameterispresented.Howtocorrecttheinfluenceoftopographyonlyfrompolarimetricdata using the orientation angle is reviewed. The observation extension using SAR interferomerty is considered to be a step into a new dimension in the domain of quantitative parameter estimation. Beside the classical approach for surface height estimation, the potential of using wavenumber shift

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filteringandtheinterferometric coherenceforthequantitativeestimationofsurfaceparameterswas critical reviewed. Finally, the effect of temporal observation diversity given with repeat-pass time intervalsonthequantitativeestimationofsurfaceparameterwasanalysed. One of the main problems in repeat pass SAR interferometry has been addressed: The quantitative estimation of temporal decorrelation, which can be caused by several effects. Unfortunately no model is available which takes into account the different aspects causing temporal decorrelation over natural surfaces. As the problem has a non-linear characteristic also future investigations will have to workwithstrongassumptions. In order to obtain a better physical understanding of the effects induced on the interferometric coherence by the surface parameters, a hybrid scattering model accounting for different surface scattering scenarios has been addressed and investigated. The individual effects of moisture and roughnessontheinterferometriccoherencecanbepotentiallyseparatedbyusingthismodel. Itshallbepointedoutthatthepresenceof temporal decorrelation effects ifnotaccountedleads to biased forest height estimates! The bias depends directly on the amount of temporal decorrelation and becomes significant even for moderate decorrelation levels. For the inversion process the nature of different temporal decorrelation effects has been evaluated. The analysis of zero spatial baseline airborneexperimentaldatasetsacquiredatL-bandwithdifferenttemporalbaselinesdemonstratedthat the amount of wind induced decorrelation is not a monotonic function of the temporal baseline and depends primarily on wind speed and forest structure. This makes it difficult if not impossible to give any accurate prediction for the expected level of temporal decorrelation over time, especially for shorttemporalbaselines(intheorderofhoursordays). Based on the experimental observations, the Random Volume over Ground (RVoG) model has been extended to account for general temporal decorrelation as well as for wind induced temporal decorrelationeffects.Theinversionofeachofthesetwoscenarioshasbeendiscussed: The general case of temporal decorrelation leads for any repeat-pass configuration to an underdeterminedinversionproblemthatcannotbeinvertedwithsufficientaccuracy. In the case of wind induced temporal decorrelation that effect the volume (canopy) layer only inversionispossibleastemporaldecorrelationbecomes(oratleastcanbeassumedtobe)scalar. In conclusion, single-pass interferometry is strongly recommended as it allows the optimum exhaustion ofthepotentialofPol-InSARtechniques,especiallywithrespecttoestimationaccuracy. Furthermore,thestudyprovidesanoverviewofthetheory of InSAR imaging of ocean currents,the state of the art in the modelling of InSAR signatures of the ocean, examples of model results, and the sensitivity of such model results to changes of radar and environmental parameters. It was shown that thealong-trackInSARimagingmechanismofoceancurrentsismuchmorelinearthantheconventional SAR intensity imaging mechanism, but contributions of surface wave motions can cause a constant offsetandnonlinearitieswhichneedtobeaccountedinthedatainterpretation. The model results presented indicate that there is no strong preference for high or low radar frequencies as far as the detectability of ocean currents and the linearity of the imaging mechanism is concerned, but the along-track InSAR time lag is a very important parameter which should be adapted tothegivenradarfrequencyinordertoobtainanoptimalmeasuringaccuracyandspatialresolution.If thetimelagistooshort,theInSARphasedifferencesassociatedwithtargetmotionstobedetectedwill be very small and dominated by instrument noise. If the time lag is too long, strong phase noise will result from the decorrelation of the backscattered signal (low coherence), and phase wrapping problemscanoccur.TheappropriateATItimelagsforcurrentmeasurementsshouldbeontheorderof 3to5msatXband(10GHz)and30to50msatLband(1GHz). The performance of the proposed current retrieval algorithms is discussed and we have summarized resultsofexperimentsandvalidationstudieswithairborneandspaceborneInSARsystems.Wecometo the conclusion that a variety of spaceborne along-track InSAR configurations would be capable of providing current measurements with spatial resolutions of 1km or better. The conversion of alongtrack InSAR phase images into current fields, including the correction for nonlinearities resulting from wave-current interaction, appears to work quite well. In general, the nonlinear effects are mainly

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important at scales below 1km, thus the imaging mechanism is quite linear at the spatial scales which are relevant to spaceborne InSAR data. Regarding the derivation of two-dimensional current fields, there are several possibilities. The most promising, but technically challenging one is the use of a dualbeam InSAR with two different look directions, which could actually measure two current components duringasingleoverpassofatestarea. New techniques which could be helpful in combination with Simultaneous SAR Interferometry have beenstudied.Theseare: Tuneable InSAR, where the centre frequency of the radar is shifted in one channel. This technique is advantageous in case of small bandwidth systems, or when large height sensitivity is required. However, the carrier frequency can optimally be tuned only with consideration of the slope of the imaged area. Therefore, the slope information is a prerequisite and the tuning cannotbeappliedgloballyoverawholemountainousscene. Delta-k Radar, which has been proposed by Sarabandi as an equivalence of Interferometric SAR with the aim to facilitate computation of the effective phase centre within a vegetation volume. In the course of this study no indication could be found, that a simple Delta-k system can provide height measurements as conventional interferometric systems do. The application of this Delta-k technique is limited to controlled scenarios, where the geometry is precisely known, and only the distribution of scatterers and their phase centre within a resolution cell shall be determined. This does not correspond to a real mapping scenario and the benefits of Delta-kradarforremotesensingfromspaceareconsideredtobelimited. Superresolution: This technique uses a cluster of satellites and can multiply the geometrical resolution.Ifonlytwosatellitesareavailabletheresolutioncanbedoubled,eitherinrangeorin azimuth direction. The method is not an interferometric technique, but makes use of SAR interferometry and the required satellite configurations are similar to those applied for simultaneous SAR interferometry. It can therefore be used in combination with SAR across and alongtrackinterferometry. In the course of the study various InSAR applications and promising techniques for simultaneous SAR interferometry have been studied. In a final assessment it was clearly shown that simultaneous SAR interferometry have a great potential for future SAR missions. It also turned out that a satellite formation flight is advantageous to a single-satellite boom configuration. It is expected that such a mission will promote new SAR applications in a similar way like the boost we have experienced from ERSrepeatpassinterferometryinthelastdecade.