TerraSAR-X Staring Spotlight Mode Optimization and Global Performance Predictions

Abstract

For the TerraSAR-X mission, a new staring spotlight mode has been implemented delivering very high azimuth resolution. Detailed performance analyses have been conducted to optimize the commanding parameters for this mode. Compared to the previously available TerraSAR-X imaging modes, staring spotlight requires operating the instrument with minimum margins and at the edge of the specifications, the radar has been designed for. Therefore, an additional step-a global acquisition simulation and analysis-is introduced during the operationalization to ensure the suitability of the derived commanding parameters on a global scale. This paper gives an overview of SAR performance analyses conducted for the mode optimization and implementation phases and presents a novel global performance assessment approach, which is generally applicable for the verification of operational SAR modes. Additionally, measurement results and exemplary acquisitions are shown.

Moving Target Azimuth Velocity Estimation for the MASA Mode Based on Sequential SAR Images

“…In order to further verify the proposed method, the TerraSAR-X staring spotlight data is utilized, which has an azimuth resolution of 0.25m, with a large azimuth steering span of -2.2°~2.2° [4], [7]. The staring spotlight image is transformed into the Doppler domain, and the valid azimuth frequency spectrum is divided into n sub-spectrums.…”

“…He rapid development of space-borne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) techniques, such as antenna azimuth pattern steering, allows for innovative applications to meet the rising demand in monitoring, recognition, and classification. By increasing the azimuth pattern steering angle span, several advanced imaging modes, including TOPS, inverse TOPS, sliding spotlight and staring spotlight [1]- [4], have been proposed for a higher geometry resolution or a wider range coverage, and adopted in some advanced SAR satellites, such as ALOS-2 [5], Sentinel-1 [6] and TerraSAR-X [7]. In addition, improved azimuth steering span is also beneficial to moving target detection and velocity estimation.…”

Earthquake-Induced Building Damage Detection with Post-Event Sub-Meter VHR TerraSAR-X Staring Spotlight Imagery

“…The scene extent of a TerraSAR-X ST mode image usually varies between 2.5 and 2.8 km in the azimuth direction and 4.6 km and 7.5 km in the range [30,38]. The small coverage of ST mode data may not be adequate for damage detection over a wide area with a single image.…”

Combination of stereo SAR and InSAR for DEM generation using TanDEM-X spotlight data

“…For further details on the modes and science phase timeline, please refer to Hajnsek et al (2014) and Tridon et al (2014). The processing of CoSSC products has been described in Balss et al (2014) and further information on SAR processing methods of staring spotlight data can be found in Mittermayer et al (2014), Prats-Iraola et al (2014), and Kraus et al (2016).…”