PHARUS ASAR demonstrator
report
PHARUS is a polarimetric phased array C-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), designed and built for airborne use. Advanced SAR (ASAR) data in image and alternating polarization mode have been simulated with PHARUS to demonstrate the use of Envisat for a number of typical SAR applications that are not possible with the ERS satellites. These applications concern landuse classification with several combinations of polarimetric channels and terrain height estimation from a same side stereo pair. In addition, SAR image geocoding and the determination of directional ocean wave spectra have been investigated as well. PHARUS data collected over the Black Forest in Germany, over a cultivated area in The Netherlands, and over the North Sea, were degenerated in the processing to ASAR resolution with two looks in alternating polarization mode, four looks in image mode, and one look in wave mode. Results show that ASAR dual-channel data from alternating polarization mode can better separate vegetation types than the single-channel data of the ERS satellites. Moreover, with ASAR resolution, terrain relief can be estimated with an accuracy of about 50 m, whereas SAR imagery can be geocoded with an accuracy of 30-60 m using ground control points. With regard to directional wave spectra, AS AR's wave mode to detect waves in the open oceans will probably be of limited use in shallow seas, where wavelengths are much shorter.
Topics
TNO Identifier
95423
ISBN
90-541-1348-0
Publisher
Beleidscommissie Remote Sensing BCRS
Place of publication
Delft
Pages
67p.
Files
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