InSAR datum connection using GNSS-augmented radar transponders

Deformation estimates from Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) are relative: they form a ‘free’ network referred to an arbitrary datum, e.g. by assuming a reference point in the image to be stable. However, some applications require ‘absolute’ InSAR estimates, i.e. expressed in a well-defined terrestrial reference frame, e.g. to compare InSAR results with those of other techniques. We propose a methodology based on collocated InSAR and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements, achieved by rigidly attaching phase-stable millimetre-precision compact active radar transponders to GNSS antennas. We demonstrate this concept through a simulated example and practical case studies in the Netherlands.