Hybrid Dual-Polarization Synthetic Aperture Radar

Compact polarimetry for a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is reviewed. Compact polarimetry (CP) is intended to provide useful polarimetric image classifications while avoiding the disadvantages of space-based quadrature-polarimetric (quad-pol) SARs. Two CP approaches are briefly described, &am...

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Main Author: R. Keith Raney
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-06-01
Series:Remote Sensing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/11/13/1521
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author R. Keith Raney
author_facet R. Keith Raney
author_sort R. Keith Raney
collection DOAJ
description Compact polarimetry for a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is reviewed. Compact polarimetry (CP) is intended to provide useful polarimetric image classifications while avoiding the disadvantages of space-based quadrature-polarimetric (quad-pol) SARs. Two CP approaches are briefly described, π/4 and circular. A third form, hybrid compact polarimetry (HCP) has emerged as the preferred embodiment of compact polarimetry. HCP transmits circular polarization and receives on two orthogonal linear polarizations. When seen through its associated data processing and image classification algorithms, HPC’s heritage dates back to the Stokes parameters (1852), which are summarized and explained in plain language. Hybrid dual-polarimetric imaging radars were in the payloads of two lunar-orbiting satellites, India’s Earth-observing RISAT-1, and Japan’s ALOS-2. In lunar or planetary orbit, a satellite equipped with an HCP imaging radar delivers the same class of polarimetric information as Earth-based radar astronomy. In stark contrast to quad-pol, compact polarimetry is compatible with wide swath modes of a SAR, including ScanSAR. All operational modes of the SARs aboard Canada’s three-satellite Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) are hybrid dual-polarimetric. Image classification methodologies for HCP data are reviewed, two of which introduce errors for reasons explained. Their use is discouraged. An alternative and recommended group of methodologies yields reliable results, illustrated by polarimetrically classified images. A survey over numerous quantitative studies demonstrates HCP polarimetric classification effectiveness. The results verify that the performance accuracy of the HCP architecture is comparable to the accuracy delivered by a quadrature-polarized SAR. Four appendices are included covering related topics, including comments on inflight calibration of an HCP radar.
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spelling doaj.art-542f033f39cf4a43a16b6d7a7ee7e44b2022-12-21T17:17:10ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922019-06-011113152110.3390/rs11131521rs11131521Hybrid Dual-Polarization Synthetic Aperture RadarR. Keith Raney02kR-LLC, 1588 Keswick Place, Annapolis, MD 21401, USACompact polarimetry for a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system is reviewed. Compact polarimetry (CP) is intended to provide useful polarimetric image classifications while avoiding the disadvantages of space-based quadrature-polarimetric (quad-pol) SARs. Two CP approaches are briefly described, π/4 and circular. A third form, hybrid compact polarimetry (HCP) has emerged as the preferred embodiment of compact polarimetry. HCP transmits circular polarization and receives on two orthogonal linear polarizations. When seen through its associated data processing and image classification algorithms, HPC’s heritage dates back to the Stokes parameters (1852), which are summarized and explained in plain language. Hybrid dual-polarimetric imaging radars were in the payloads of two lunar-orbiting satellites, India’s Earth-observing RISAT-1, and Japan’s ALOS-2. In lunar or planetary orbit, a satellite equipped with an HCP imaging radar delivers the same class of polarimetric information as Earth-based radar astronomy. In stark contrast to quad-pol, compact polarimetry is compatible with wide swath modes of a SAR, including ScanSAR. All operational modes of the SARs aboard Canada’s three-satellite Radarsat Constellation Mission (RCM) are hybrid dual-polarimetric. Image classification methodologies for HCP data are reviewed, two of which introduce errors for reasons explained. Their use is discouraged. An alternative and recommended group of methodologies yields reliable results, illustrated by polarimetrically classified images. A survey over numerous quantitative studies demonstrates HCP polarimetric classification effectiveness. The results verify that the performance accuracy of the HCP architecture is comparable to the accuracy delivered by a quadrature-polarized SAR. Four appendices are included covering related topics, including comments on inflight calibration of an HCP radar.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/11/13/1521radar astronomysynthetic aperture radar (SAR)compact polarimetryStokes parametersLunar Reconnaissance OrbiterEarth observationSAR applicationscalibration
spellingShingle R. Keith Raney
Hybrid Dual-Polarization Synthetic Aperture Radar
Remote Sensing
radar astronomy
synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
compact polarimetry
Stokes parameters
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Earth observation
SAR applications
calibration
title Hybrid Dual-Polarization Synthetic Aperture Radar
title_full Hybrid Dual-Polarization Synthetic Aperture Radar
title_fullStr Hybrid Dual-Polarization Synthetic Aperture Radar
title_full_unstemmed Hybrid Dual-Polarization Synthetic Aperture Radar
title_short Hybrid Dual-Polarization Synthetic Aperture Radar
title_sort hybrid dual polarization synthetic aperture radar
topic radar astronomy
synthetic aperture radar (SAR)
compact polarimetry
Stokes parameters
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
Earth observation
SAR applications
calibration
url https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/11/13/1521
work_keys_str_mv AT rkeithraney hybriddualpolarizationsyntheticapertureradar