Elevation Extraction from Spaceborne SAR Tomography Using Multi-Baseline COSMO-SkyMed SAR Data

Abstract

SAR tomography (TomoSAR) extends SAR interferometry (InSAR) to image a complex 3D scene with multiple scatterers within the same SAR cell. The phase calibration method and the super-resolution reconstruction method play a crucial role in 3D TomoSAR imaging from multi-baseline SAR stacks, and they both influence the accuracy of the 3D SAR tomographic imaging results. This paper presents a systematic processing method for 3D SAR tomography imaging. Moreover, with the newly released TanDEM-X 12 m DEM, this study proposes a new phase calibration method based on SAR InSAR and DEM error estimation with the super-resolution reconstruction compressive sensing (CS) method for 3D TomoSAR imaging using COSMO-SkyMed Spaceborne SAR data. The test, fieldwork, and results validation were executed at Zipingpu Dam, Dujiangyan, Sichuan, China. After processing, the 1 m resolution TomoSAR elevation extraction results were obtained. Against the terrestrial Lidar ‘truth’ data, the elevation results were shown to have an accuracy of 0.25 ± 1.04 m and a RMSE of 1.07 m in the dam area. The results and their subsequent validation demonstrate that the X band data using the CS method are not suitable for forest structure reconstruction, but are fit for purpose for the elevation extraction of manufactured facilities including buildings in the urban area.

Surface deformation monitoring and analysis using PS-inSAR in Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture

“…Recent studies by Chen [7] ,Liu [8] ,Wang [9] ,He [10] , and Feng [11] have demonstrated the efficacy of PS-InSAR in diverse applications, ranging from mining subsidence detection to landslide monitoring and seismic event analysis. These studies showcase the versatility of PS-InSAR in capturing spatial and temporal variations in surface deformation, providing a foundation for our exploration in the unique setting of the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture.…”

Innovative Rotating SAR Mode for 3D Imaging of Buildings

“…Chang et al, enhanced SAR 3D imaging by combining DBF and BSS, improving echo separation in uneven terrain and simplifying data processing for urban building structures in 2022 [21]. Based on 14 satellite SAR images, the author of [22] using Compressed Sensing (CS) to realize super-resolution 3D TomoSAR imaging in 2022, which was suitable for elevation extraction of urban buildings. The authors of [23] proposed a distributed SAR high-resolution wideband (HRWS) 3D imaging method in 2023, which overcame the limitation of traditional single-satellite antennas by using 14channel number SAR data.…”