Synthetic Aperture Radar Polarimetry [Hardcover]

This book describes the application of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar to earth remote sensing based on research at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). This book synthesizes all current research to provide practical information for both the newcomer and the expert in radar polarimetry. The text offers a concise description of the mathematical fundamentals illustrated with many examples using SAR data, with a main focus on remote sensing of the earth.

The book begins with basics of synthetic aperture radar to provide the basis for understanding how polarimetric SAR images are formed and gives an introduction to the fundamentals of radar polarimetry. It goes on to discuss more advanced polarimetric concepts that allow one to infer more information about the terrain being imaged. In order to analyze data quantitatively, the signals must be calibrated carefully, which the book addresses in a chapter summarizing the basic calibration algorithms. The book concludes with examples of applying polarimetric analysis to scattering from rough surfaces, to infer soil moisture from radar signals.

Note From the Series Editor xi

Foreword xiii

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xvii

Authors xix

1. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Imaging Basics 1

1.1 Basic Principles of Radar Imaging 2

1.2 Radar Resolution 6

1.3 Radar Equation 10

1.4 Real Aperture Radar 11

1.5 Synthetic Aperture Radar 13

1.6 Radar Image Artifacts and Noise 16

1.7 Summary 22

References 22

2. Basic Principles of SAR Polarimetry 23

2.1 Polarization of Electromagnetic Waves 23

2.2 Mathematical Represenl-