Polarimetric Dual-Baseline InSAR Building Height Estimation at L-Band

This letter generalizes a multibaseline interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) signal model to the polarimetric scenario. Based on this formulation, two high-performance spectral analysis techniques are adapted to process multibaseline Pol-InSAR observations. These new methods enhance the height estimation of scatterers by calculating optimal polarization combinations and allow the determination of their physical characteristics. Applying the proposed algorithms to urban environments, the building layover problem is analyzed by means of polarimetric dual-baseline InSAR measurements: the ground and building height are estimated. The techniques are validated using dual-baseline Pol-InSAR data acquired by DLR's Experimental SAR (E-SAR) system over Dresden city.      

DEM Reconstruction in Layover Areas From SAR and Auxiliary Input Data

In this letter, a methodology to overcome the layover problem and obtain the 3-D reconstruction of urban areas will be discussed. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) (InSAR) systems allow the estimation of height profiles of the Earth surface, but in the case of urban scenarios, estimation becomes a hard task due to the presence of SAR geometrical distortions, with layover above all. First, the layover signal in InSAR images is investigated; then, a procedure to specifically manage layover areas is presented. The proposed method consists of introducing an auxiliary data exploitation, optical data or SAR shadowing, in the maximum a posteriori statistical estimation technique to improve the digital elevation model reconstruction, particularly on phase discontinuities. We test the method on simulated data, showing its effectiveness.     

多基线层析SAR技术的研究现状分析

层析SAR技术是在干涉SAR （InSAR）基础上发展起来的一种信息反演技术。层析SAR技术弥补了传统InSAR技术在高程向上分辨能力缺失的不足,真正实现了距离向-方位向-高程向的三维成像。本文介绍了层析SAR成像的原理,讨论了成像过程中复图像配准、去斜、相位误差补偿及高程向成像等问题,总结了层析SAR成像的三类算法,分析了层析SAR技术在各领域的应用情况,最后指出了层析SAR成像技术目前存在的问题,并对未来层析SAR技术的发展趋势做出了展望。     

一种针对机载重轨干涉SAR数据的配准方法

配准作为干涉处理过程中的重要一步,其精度直接影响后续的处理。机载重复轨道干涉数据,由于飞行的姿态不一致,导致影像间产生较大的相对变形,常规的方法无法对整幅影像进行配准。本文结合SIFT匹配算法的稳健性和解析搜索配准算法高精度的优点,利用飞行轨道间的关系和统计分析剔除错误的匹配,提出了一种针对机载重复轨道干涉数据的配准方法,有效解决了机载重复轨道干涉数据的配准问题。首先利用SIFT匹配算法提取一定数量的匹配点,然后利用飞行轨道之间的关系和对匹配点偏移量的统计分析,剔除误匹配的点,完成粗配准,最后使用解析搜索算法完成精配准。本文利用国产CASMSAR系统获取的机载P波段重复轨道干涉数据进行实验,取得了良好的效果。     

雷达影像地表形变干涉测量的机遇、挑战与展望

随着合成孔径雷达(SAR)卫星的不断发射,合成孔径雷达干涉测量技术(interferometric synthetic aperture radar,InSAR)得到前所未有的发展机遇,同时也面临诸多挑战。本文首先简要介绍了SAR卫星发展现状与InSAR技术的基本原理,并系统梳理了干涉图堆叠(InSAR stacking)、小基线集干涉测量(small baseline subset InSAR,SBAS-InSAR)、永久散射体干涉测量(persistent scatterer InSAR,PS-InSAR)、分布式散射体干涉测量(distributed scatterer InSAR,DS-InSAR)和分频干涉测量(split-bandwidth interferometry,SBI)等先进InSAR技术的优缺点。在此基础上,指出目前InSAR技术面临的主要挑战(相位失相干、大气延迟、相位解缠、几何畸变和多维变形测量)及相应的解决方案。进一步从地震、火山、滑坡、地面沉降、冰川运动、人工建构筑物位移变形及大气水汽含量估计等不同的应用场景分析了InSAR技术的应用现状和存在的缺陷。最后,展望目前InSAR的发展趋势,随着更高空间分辨率,更高时间分辨率,更轻小化SAR卫星的不断发展,InSAR技术将会被应用到越来越多的新场景,激励我国雷达影像干涉测量更快发展。     

Coregistration Based on Three Parts of Two Complex Images and Contoured Windows for Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry

The coregistration of complex image pairs is a very important step in synthetic aperture radar interferometry (InSAR) data processing. This letter proposes a novel coregistration method that only needs three arbitrary parts of the two complex images instead of four parts in the existing coregistration methods. This method constitutes an integrated three-part method for InSAR data processing with our contoured-correlation-interferometry method for phase-image generation. Saving one part transmission makes a significant advantage when processing SAR images on satellites. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, by means of using fringe contoured windows instead of squared windows, the accuracy of the coregistration for both the three-part coregistration method and the existing methods can be improved considerably     

Maximum a posteriori estimation of height profiles in InSAR imaging

We present a statistical method to solve the height estimation problem in interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) applications. It is based on the use of multifrequency SAR raw datasets obtained by partitioning in subbands the available raw data spectrum, and on a Bayesian estimator using Markov random fields to model the a priori distribution of the unknown images. The method allows recovering topographic profiles affected by strong height discontinuities and allows to perform efficient noise rejections.     

用InSAR技术进行形变监测的研究

卫星合成孔径雷达干涉技术((InSAR)通过对地面同一地区两次或多次平行观测成像得到的复图象对进行处理可获得数字地面模型,用以监测地表面变化。本文简单叙述了(InSAR)基本原理、处理流程及方法,并通过天津SAR数据的处理,详细介绍了SAR数据处理整个过程,之后给出了基于ERS-2天津地区原始数据的实验结果形成的干涉图及数字高程图。     

Optimum Data Vector Approach to Multibaseline SAR Interferometry Phase Unwrapping

Phase unwrapping is a key problem not only in all quantitative applications of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) interferometry but also in other fields. In this letter, a new phase unwrapping approach is investigated. Our study is based on the model of the optimum data vector. In order to autocoregister the SAR images, the proposed method takes advantage of the multibaseline optimal weighted joint data vector by extracting all the coherence information available in the neighboring pixels. Moreover, the method employs the projection of the joint signal subspace onto the corresponding noise subspace to estimate the unwrapped interferometric phases (or the terrain heights). The proposed method can accurately determine the dimensions of the noise subspace and provide the robust unwrapped interferometric phases even in the presence of the large image coregistration errors. Moreover, the multibaseline processing idea is a combination of data optimization, image coregistration, interferogram filtering, and phase unwrapping.     

基于Kalman滤波的InSAR基线估计方法

针对目前SAR干涉测量中基线估计现存的问题,提出了利用Kalman滤波和配准参数进行基线估计的方法.所提出的方法具有不需地面控制点、不受地形限制和不依赖于轨道参数等优点,并可以估计时变的基线参数.利用南京地区的ERS-1/2 tandem数据进行了试验研究,并对提出的方法进行了验证.结果表明,在精确的卫星轨道数据和地面控制点不能获取时,所提出的方法仍能有效地估计InSAR基线.这在一定程度上补偿了轨道偏移带来的误差,为获取高精度的DEM奠定了基础.     

InSAR林下地形测绘方法与研究进展

传统光学遥感技术手段在森林覆盖区难以准确获取林下地形,原因在于其只能测量森林冠层顶部高程。微波信号能够穿透森林冠层并记录森林垂直结构信息,为解决林下地形测绘难题带来了契机,如何准确获取林下地形已成为微波遥感领域的研究热点。首先介绍了面向林下地形测绘的合成孔径雷达（synthetic aperture radar,SAR）干涉测高原理及数据获取手段。然后对利用SAR进行林下地形测绘的方法进行了分类,主要包括基于合成孔径雷达干涉测量（interferometric synthetic aperture radar,InSAR）、极化合成孔径雷达干涉测量（polarimetric InSAR,PolInSAR）及基于多基线InSAR/PolInSAR数据的层析SAR（tomographic SAR,TomoSAR）技术的林下地形测绘方法,并介绍了上述3种方法的应用进展。最后在此基础上,从数据获取、误差改正及散射模型构建3个角度分析了林下地形测绘所面临的问题。     

TerraSAR影像干涉测量数据的地理编码方法

InSAR技术广泛用于获取高精度的地形信息,但是经过干涉处理获得的干涉测量数据必须经过地理编码,才能得到可实用的DEM。本文针对高分辨率TerraSAR影像,提出了利用InSAR的影像和高度信息,结合卫星的位置矢量和速度矢量以及SAR距离-多普勒构像模型,进行高程图地理编码处理的方法,直接将干涉生成的DEM校正到所需的地面参考坐标系统中,以获取干涉数据的地面三维信息。通过试验,证明了该方法的可行性。     

卫星雷达遥感在滑坡灾害探测和监测中的应用:挑战与对策

将卫星雷达遥感应用于滑坡灾害的探测与监测,不仅可以从空间尺度上大范围捕捉到滑坡信号,而且可以从时间尺度上以较长周期追踪滑坡的运动状态。但是,卫星雷达遥感本身的局限性和滑坡所处的复杂地形环境使这一应用面临一些挑战。对卫星雷达遥感技术的4个主要挑战进行了总结与分析,同时给出了相应的解决方案:①通过提高卫星雷达影像的空间、时间分辨率,使用较长波段雷达信号或采用增强型时间序列分析技术,可降低密集植被覆盖对相干性的影响。另外,采用像素点偏移量追踪或距离向分频干涉测量方法,可克服传统干涉测量中大梯度形变引起的相位失相干。②大气延迟对卫星遥感的影响较大,尤其是地处山区的滑坡探测和监测,利用通用型卫星雷达大气改正系统可显著减弱干涉影像的大气信号并进一步简化时间序列分析,提高缓慢运动滑坡的探测和监测质量。③对于中等分辨率的雷达影像而言,利用数字高程模型可提前量化分析雷达几何畸变（如叠掩、阴影等）引发的滑坡探测监测的适用性;而对于高分辨率的雷达影像而言,利用机器学习方法无需外部高分辨率数字高程模型即可精确识别雷达影像的阴影和叠掩区并进行掩膜,从而大幅度提高数据处理效率。④针对高坡度地区残余的地形相位引起的解缠误差,可通过基线线性组合的方法予以减弱。此外,提出了一个基于多源对地观测的滑坡探测/监测系统框架,综合卫星雷达遥感与其他对地观测数据（如地基雷达、激光雷达、全球导航定位系统）,搭建了一个自动化滑坡探测与监测系统。该研究旨在阐明卫星雷达遥感的优缺点,进一步深化其在滑坡灾害监测方面的应用和推广,引出未来侧重发展方向的思考与探讨。     

监测城市基础设施健康的星载MT-InSAR方法介绍

星载合成孔径雷达干涉测量(InSAR)技术是近年来迅猛发展的一种空间对地观测技术,在InSAR基础上提出的多时相InSAR(MT-InSAR)方法,利用同一地区的多景SAR影像对时序稳定点(PS)进行精确分析,极大地降低了大气延迟等带来的测量误差,使得形变监测精度达到了厘米级到毫米级,可对城市基础设施进行大范围高精度的连续监测。本文通过对MT-InSAR技术发展的综述,总结了目前MT-InSAR技术在基础设施健康监测方面的关键问题和应用领域,并对未来MT-InSAR在城市应用方面的发展提出了展望。     

一种基于高分辨率雷达影像以及外部DEM辅助的复杂地形制图方法

为满足在坡度陡、高差大的复杂地形地区高精度DEM制图的需要,在传统的雷达干涉测量技术的基础上,通过引入外部DEM,建立外部DEM模拟相位和干涉解缠相位的对应关系,构建多维线性模型,进行线性回归分析,去除误差相位趋势;同时根据引入的外部DEM估计高程的误差范围,进行高程点的滤波,达到精化DEM的目的,形成最终的DEM产品。该方法已经应用于高分辨雷达影像（COSMO数据）在云南德钦地区DEM地形图的制作,通过GPS数据的验证,其精度达到了国家1∶50 000 DEM制图要求。     

基于DFT模型的大场景InSAR图像配准

图像配准是实现干涉合成孔径雷达(InSAR)高精度相位提取及地形高程反演的关键,大场景图像的高效高精度配准成为近年高分宽幅InSAR成像应用研究的难点问题之一。由于大场景图像中不同区域偏移量及变化规律差异较大,传统最大相干系数配准方法需多分块及插值处理,面临计算量大且配准精度低等问题。针对此问题,本文提出一种基于DFT模型的大场景InSAR高效高精度图像配准算法。该方法利用最小均方差准则构建InSAR复图像配准的DFT模型,采用四叉树自适应分块及矩阵相乘DFT快速重采样配准方法,实现大场景InSAR图像各子块区域的高效高精度亚像素配准。仿真和实测数据验证本文算法的有效性,结果表明该算法不仅可实现大场景InSAR复图像亚像素级配准,还具有较高的运算效率,其运算效率相对于传统FFT配准方法通常可提升3倍以上。     

困难地区InSAR技术和加权融合的DEM生成

合成孔径雷达干涉测量（InSAR）技术具有全天时全天候的特点,可以大范围、快速、高效地提取DEM。即使在常年被云雾覆盖、降雨频繁的热带雨林地区,InSAR技术也能正常生成DEM。本文利用InSAR生成了研究区的DEM,验证了该方法的可行性。由于研究区植被茂密且有大面积的水域沼泽,导致InSAR处理过程中存在低相干和部分失相干现象,极易造成基于InSAR技术生成的DEM存在错误和空洞。针对这一问题,提出了像素级的以相干依据作为加权函数的融合方法,将SRTM DEM和AW3D30 DEM作为外源数据与InSAR DEM进行融合,解决了基于InSAR技术生成DEM存在错误和空洞的问题,保证了DEM的完整性。     

利用SAR影像配准偏移量提取地表形变的方法与误差分析

单一的InSAR观测技术可提取地表沿雷达视线方向(LOS)上的一维位移,而利用SAR影像配准过程中的同名像素偏移量可提取地表沿雷达方位向(近南北向)与距离向(近东西向)的二维形变场,与LOS方向的一维形变形成优势互补。本文在分析SAR影像配准偏移量提取地表形变场方法的基础上,推导建立了雷达方位向与距离向形变提取的误差模型,探讨了该方法提取地表形变的主要误差源。以Bam地震ASAR影像和玉树地震PALSAR影像为数据源,分别开展同震形变场的提取与误差分析试验,结果表明,基于SAR像素配准偏移量提取同震形变场的精度主要受匹配窗口尺寸与过采样因子影响,形变提取误差随匹配计算窗口的增大而减小,形变提取精度随过采样因子的增大有适量提高,地形起伏效应在高差较大的SAR影像区域中表现较为显著。     

Monitoring of urban subsidence with SAR interferometric point target analysis: A case study in Suzhou,China

Ground subsidence, mainly caused by over exploitation of groundwater and other underground resources, such as oil, gas and coal, occurs in many cities in China. The annual direct loss associated with subsidence across the country is estimated to exceed 100 million US dollar. Interferometric SAR (InSAR) is a powerful tool to map ground deformation at an unprecedented level of spatial detail. It has been widely used to investigate the deformation resulting from earthquakes, volcanoes and subsidence. Repeat-pass InSAR, however, may fail due to impacts of spatial decorrelation, temporal decorrelation and heterogeneous refractivity of atmosphere. In urban areas, a large amount of natural stable radar reflectors exists, such as buildings and engineering structures, at which radar signals can remain coherent during a long time interval. Interferometric point target analysis (IPTA) technique, also known as persistent scatterers (PS) InSAR is based on these reflectors. It overcomes the shortfalls in conventional InSAR. This paper presents a procedure for urban subsidence monitoring with IPTA. Calculation of linear deformation rate and height residual, and the non-linear deformation estimate, respectively, are discussed in detail. Especially, the former is highlighted by a novel and easily implemented 2-dimensional spatial search algorithm. Practically useful solutions that can significantly improve the robustness of IPTA, are recommended. Finally, the proposed procedure is applied to mapping the ground subsidence in Suzhou city, Jiangsu province, China. Thirty-four ERS-1/2 SAR scenes are analyzed, and the deformation information over 38,881 point targets between 1992 and 2000 are generated. The IPTA-derived deformation estimates correspond well with leveling measurements, demonstrating the potential of the proposed subsidence monitoring procedure based on IPTA technique. Two shortcomings of the IPTA-based procedure, e.g., the requirement of large number of SAR images and assumed linear plus non-linear deformation model, are discussed as the topics of further research.     

Coseismic surface deformation of the 2014 Napa earthquake mapped by Sentinel-1A SAR and accuracy assessment with COSMO-SkyMed and GPS data as cross validation

ABSTRACT

The new land observation satellite Sentinel-1A was launched on 25 April 2014 with a C-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensor, which has the significant enhancements in terms of revisit period and high resolution. The Mw 6.1 Napa, California earthquake occurring on 24 August 2014, almost 4 months after the launch, is the first moderate earthquake imaged by the Sentinel-1A. This provides an opportunity to map the coseismic deformation of the event and evaluate the potential of Sentinel-1A SAR for earthquake study. Two techniques including the interferometric SAR (InSAR) and pixel offset-tracking (PO) are, respectively, employed to map the surface deformation along the radar line of sight (LOS), azimuth and slant-range directions. The cross comparison between Sentinel-1A InSAR LOS deformation and GPS observations indicates good agreement with an accuracy of ～2.6?mm. We further estimate the earthquake source model with the external COSMO-SkyMed InSAR and GPS data as constraints, and forward calculate the surface deformation as cross validation with the Sentinel-1A observations. The comparison between the observed and modeled deformation shows that the Sentinel-1A measurement accuracy can achieve 1.6?cm for InSAR technique along LOS direction, and 6.3 and 6.7?cm for PO along azimuth and range directions, respectively.