In this paper, we examine the role of polarimetry in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry. We first propose a general formulation for vector wave interferometry that includes conventional scalar interferometry as a special case. Then, we show how polarimetric basis transformations can be introduced into SAR interferometry and applied to form interferograms between all possible linear combinations of polarization states. This allows us to reveal the strong polarization dependency of the interferometric coherence. We then solve the coherence optimization problem involving maximization of interferometric coherence and formulate a new coherent decomposition for polarimetric SAR interferometry that allows the separation of the effective phase centers of different scattering mechanisms. A simplified stochastic scattering model for an elevated forest canopy is introduced to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. In this way, we demonstrate the importance of wave polarization for the physical interpretation of SAR interferograms. We investigate the potential of polarimetric SAR interferometry using results from the evaluation of fully polarimetric interferometric shuttle imaging radar (SIR)-C/X-SAR data collected during October 8-9, 1994, over the SE Baikal Lake Selenga delta region of Buriatia, Southeast Siberia, Russia.

Polarimetric SAR interferometry

The development of radar polarimetry and radar interferometry is advancing rapidly, and these novel radar technologies are revamping 'synthetic aperture radar imaging' decisively. The successive advancements are sketched eginning with the fundamental formulations and highlighting the salient points of these diverse remote sensing techniques. Whereas with radar polarimetry the textural fine-structure, target orientation and shape, symmetries and material constituents can be recovered with considerable improvements above that of standard 'amplitude-only polarisation radar'; with radar interferometry the spatial (in depth) structure can be explored. In 'polarimetric-interferometric synthetic aperture radar (POL-IN-SAR) imaging' it is possible to recover such co-registered textural plus spatial properties simultaneously. This includes the extraction of 'digital elevation maps (DEM)' from either 'fully polarimetric (scattering matrix)' or 'interferometric (dual antenna) SAR image data takes' with the additional benefit of obtaining co-registered three-dimensional 'POL-IN-DEM' information. Extra-wide-band POL-IN-SAR imaging - when applied to 'repeat-pass image overlay interferometry' - provides differential background validation and measurement, stress assessment, and environmental stress-change monitoring capabilities with hitherto unattained accuracy, which are essential tools for improved global biomass estimation and also for wetland assessment and monitoring. More recently, by applying multiple parallel repeat-pass EWB-POL-D(RP)-IN-SAR imaging along stacked (altitudinal) or displaced (horizontal) flight-lines will result in 'tomographic (multi-interferometric) polarimetric SAR stereo-imaging', including foliage- and ground-penetrating capabilities. In addition, various closely related topics of (i) acquiring additional and protecting existing spectral windows of the 'natural electromagnetic spectrum (NES)' pertinent to remote sensing; and (ii) mitigation against common 'radio frequency interference (RFI)' and intentional 'directive jamming of airborne and spaceborne POL-IN-SAR imaging platforms' are appraised.

Recent advances in extra-wide-band polarimetry, interferometry and polarimetric interferometry in synthetic aperture remote sensing and its applications

Recent advances in extra-wide-band polarimetry, interferometry and polarimetric interferometry a synthetic aperture remote sensing and its applications

This contribution is a tutorial introduction to the phenomenological theory of radar polarimetry for the coherent scatter case emphasizing monostatic backscattering and forward scattering (transmission). Characteristic similarities and differences between radar polarimetry and optical polarimetry and the role of linear and antilinear operators (time-reversal) are pointed out and typical polarimetric invariants are identified.

https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/elektrik/issues/elk-02-10-2/elk-10-2-8-0110-6.pdf

Aspects of Radar Polarimetry

A comprehensive overview of the basic principles of radar polarimetry is presented. The relevant fundamental field equations are first provided. The importance of the propagation and scattering behavior in various frequency bands, the electrodynamic foundations such as Maxwell's equations, the Helmholtz vector wave equation and especially the fundamental laws of polarization will first be introduced: The fundamental terms which represent the polarization state will be introduced, defined and explained. Main points of view are the polarization Ellipse, the polarization ratio, the Stokes Parameter and the Stokes and Jones vector formalisms as well as its presentation on the Poincare sphere and on relevant map projections. The Polarization Fork descriptor and the associated van Zyl polarimetric power density and Agrawal polarimetric phase correlation signatures will be introduced also in order to make understandable the polarization state formulations of electromagnetic waves in the frequency domain. The polarization state of electromagnetic waves under scattering conditions i.e. in the radar case will be described by matrix formalisms. Each scatterer is a polarization transformer; under normal conditions the transformation from the transmitted wave vector to the received wave vector is linear and this behavior, principally, will be described by a matrix called scattering matrix. This matrix contains all the information about the scattering process and the scatterer itself. The different relevant matrices, the respective terms like Jones Matrix, S-matrix, Muller M- matrix, Kennaugh K-matrix, etc. and its interconnections will be defined and described together with change of polarization bases transformation operators, where upon the optimal (Characteristic) polarization states are determined for the coherent and partially coherent cases, respectively. The lecture is concluded with a set of simple examples.

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Basics of sar polarimetry ii

Research in radar polarimetry is hampered by shortcomings of the conventional formulation of polarimetric backscatter concepts. In particular the correct form of the Sinclair backscatter matrix under changes of polarization bases is derivedfrom the antenna voltage (energy transfer) equation yielding the erroneous impression that radar polarimetry is a mongrel between scattering behavior and network performance. The present contribution restores logical consistency in a natural way by introducing the concept of an antilinear backscatter operator. This approach decouples scattering process and network performance, illuminates matrix analytical properties of the radar backscatter matrix and highlights characteristic states of polarization.

Ernst Lüneburg

Papers

Principles of Radar Polarimetry