Absolute geolocation accuracy of high-resolution spotlight TerraSAR-X imagery – validation in Wuhan

TerraSAR-X (TSX) can acquire high-resolution SAR images and due to its high orbit precision as well as its ability to acquire data from different off-nadir viewing angles, the high-precision stereo geolocation can be obtained. In this study, we investigate the absolute geolocation accuracy of TSX high-resolution images in Wuhan, China. We present a direct stereo SAR geolocation method and analyze the 2D and 3D geoposition accuracy of two corner reflectors. The sub-meter localization accuracy was achieved using only atmospheric correction information available in the TSX metadata.     

Modeling and sensitivity analysis of navigation parameter errors for airborne synthetic aperture radar stereo geolocation

For the high-resolution airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) stereo geolocation application, the final geolocation accuracy is influenced by various error parameter sources. In this paper, an airborne SAR stereo geolocation parameter error model, involving the parameter errors derived from the navigation system on the flight platform, has been put forward. Moreover, a kind of near-direct method for modeling and sensitivity analysis of navigation parameter errors is also given. This method directly uses the ground reference to calculate the covariance matrix relationship between the parameter errors and the eventual geolocation errors for ground target points. In addition, utilizing true flight track parameters’ errors, this paper gave a verification of the method and a corresponding sensitivity analysis for airborne SAR stereo geolocation model and proved its efficiency.     

Modeling and sensitivity analysis of navigation parameter errors for airborne synthetic aperture radar stereo geolocation

For the high-resolution airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) stereo geolocation application, the final geolocation accuracy is influenced by various error parameter sources. In this paper, an airborne SAR stereo geolocation parameter error model, involving the parameter errors derived from the navigation system on the flight platform, has been put forward. Moreover, a kind of near-direct method for modeling and sensitivity analysis of navigation parameter errors is also given. This method directly uses the ground reference to calculate the covariance matrix relationship between the parameter errors and the eventual geolocation errors for ground target points. In addition, utilizing true flight track parameters’ errors, this paper gave a verification of the method and a corresponding sensitivity analysis for airborne SAR stereo geolocation model and proved its efficiency.     

The georeferencing of RASAT satellite imagery and some practical approaches to increase the georeferencing accuracy

RASAT Earth Observation Satellite is the second remote sensing satellite of The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) Space Technologies Search Institute (TUBITAK Space). Generally, the first step to utilize the satellite imagery in GIS applications is the accurate geometric correction of the imagery. But, the geometric correction process of RASAT images is somewhat difficult due to insufficient orbit data and lack of satellite imagery processing software with RASAT model. Although the geolocation of RASAT images is investigated in some recent studies, subpixel accuracies cannot be achieved. In this study, different geometric correction methods and combination of them are tested with a more interactive workflow that uses the results of other approaches. Results show that these approaches can be used for the geometric correction of RASAT like pushbroom satellite images with insufficient orbit data and better geolocation accuracies can be achieved by different geometric correction approaches.     

利用TanDEM-X生成DEM的精度评定

目前,许多学者对TanDEM-X生成DEM开展了一些研究,其研究成果也显示了TanDEM-X生成高精度DEM的可行性。为了验证TanDEM-X/TerraSAR-X干涉生成的DEM能否满足测图要求,需要对其进行精度评价和分析。相对于C波段的ERS、ASAR和L波段的ALOS,X波段的高分辨率TerraSAR影像干涉条纹更密集,解缠更加困难。针对这一问题,本文设计了一种低分辨率SRTM辅助高分辨率的X波段的TerraSAR干涉相位解缠方案,提高了解缠的效率和精度。同时,本文提出了一种基于协方差函数的方法对TDX/TSX DEM进行精度分析和评价。该方法通过对各个距离上的协方差值进行拟合,消除了高程误差异常对InSAR DEM精度评价的影响,可以更加客观真实地反映DEM的精度。实例分析结果表明：采用协方差函数方法来评价DEM的精度是可行的,对于试验研究区域,TDX/TSX干涉生成的DEM总体精度为1.42 m,能够满足1：10 000测图要求,为我国空白地区的测图提供了有利条件。     

高分辨率PSI上海市沉降探测及分析

本文在改进的永久散射体(PS)探测方法基础上,应用高分辨率永久散射体雷达干涉(PSI)探测上海市地表沉降,并对沉降原因进行了详细分析。实验选取2008年4月至2010年1月间,由德国卫星TerraSAR-X(TSX)所获取的18幅X波段(波长为3.1 cm)高分辨率SAR影像为数据源,进行PS探测、PSI建模、形变提取和分析。实验结果表明,改进的PS探测方法探测出的PS点是合理和可靠的,且高分辨率SAR影像对地面硬目标识别能力较强,显著提高了PS点的密度和覆盖范围。沉降探测结果显示,最大相对沉降速率达30 mm/yr,平均沉降速率为11.5 mm/yr。     

Development of time series stacks of Landsat images for reconstructing forest disturbance history

Abstract

Forest dynamics is highly relevant to a broad range of earth science studies, many of which have geographic coverage ranging from regional to global scales. While the temporally dense Landsat acquisitions available in many regions provide a unique opportunity for understanding forest disturbance history dating back to 1972, large quantities of Landsat images will need to be analysed for studies at regional to global scales. This will not only require effective change detection algorithms, but also highly automated, high level preprocessing capabilities to produce images with subpixel geolocation accuracies and best achievable radiometric consistency, a status called imagery-ready-to-use (IRU). This paper describes a streamlined approach for producing IRU quality Landsat time series stacks (LTSS). This approach consists of an image selection protocol, high level preprocessing algorithms and IRU quality verification procedures. The high level preprocessing algorithms include updated radiometric calibration and atmospheric correction for calculating surface reflectance and precision registration and orthorectification routines for improving geolocation accuracy. These automated routines have been implemented in the Landsat Ecosystem Disturbance Adaptive System (LEDAPS) designed for processing large quantities of Landsat images. Some characteristics of the LTSS developed using this approach are discussed.     

Improving georeferencing accuracy of Very High Resolution satellite imagery using freely available ancillary data at global coverage

ABSTRACT

While impressive direct geolocation accuracies better than 5.0?m CE90 (90% of circular error) can be achieved from the last DigitalGlobe’s Very High Resolution (VHR) satellites (i.e. GeoEye-1 and WorldView-1/2/3/4), it is insufficient for many precise geodetic applications. For these sensors, the best horizontal geopositioning accuracies (around 0.55?m CE90) can be attained by using third-order 3D rational functions with vendor’s rational polynomial coefficients data refined by a zero-order polynomial adjustment obtained from a small number of very accurate ground control points (GCPs). However, these high-quality GCPs are not always available. In this work, two different approaches for improving the initial direct geolocation accuracy of VHR satellite imagery are proposed. Both of them are based on the extraction of three-dimensional GCPs from freely available ancillary data at global coverage such as multi-temporal information of Google Earth and the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission 30?m digital elevation model. The application of these approaches on WorldView-2 and GeoEye-1 stereo pairs over two different study sites proved to improve the horizontal direct geolocation accuracy values around of 75%.     

Differential geodetic stereo SAR with TerraSAR-X by exploiting small multi-directional radar reflectors

In this paper, we report on the direct positioning of small multi-directional radar reflectors, so-called octahedrons, with the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite TerraSAR-X. Its highest resolution imaging mode termed staring spotlight enables the use of such octahedron reflectors with a dimension of only half a meter, but still providing backscatter equivalent to 1–2 cm observation error. Four octahedrons were deployed at Wettzell geodetic observatory, and observed by TerraSAR-X with 12 acquisitions in three different geometries. By applying our least squares stereo SAR algorithm already tested with common trihedral corner reflectors (CRs), and introducing a novel differential extension using one octahedron as reference point, the coordinates of the remaining octahedrons were directly retrieved in the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). Contrary to our standard processing, the differential approach does not require external corrections for the atmospheric path delays and the geodynamic displacements, rendering it particularly useful for joint geodetic networks employing SAR and GNSS. In this paper, we present and discuss both methods based on results when applying them to the aforementioned Wettzell data set of the octahedrons. The comparison with the independently determined reference coordinates confirms the positioning accuracy with 2–5 cm for the standard approach, and 2–3 cm for the differential processing. Moreover, we present statistical uncertainty estimates of the observations and the positioning solutions, which are additionally provided by our parameter estimation algorithms. The results also include our 1.5 m CR available at Wettzell, and the outcomes clearly demonstrate the advantage of the multi-directional octahedrons over conventional CRs for global positioning applications with SAR.     

顾及大气延迟效应的YG-13A斜距标定

针对大气延迟时变误差影响遥感卫星十三号(YG-13A)斜距标定精度的问题,提出利用顾及大气延迟时变误差的斜距标定方法提高其斜距标定精度的策略。首先,利用基于NCEP气象资料和全球TEC数据的大气延迟改正方法来计算各标定景的大气延迟改正量。其次,将各标定景的大气延迟改正量代入斜距标定模型中。最后,在地面布设高精度角反射器控制点的情况下通过顾及大气延迟时变误差的斜距标定模型求解斜距测量系统误差,从而提高和验证斜距测量精度,角反射器控制点的平面和高程精度均优于0.1 m。利用嵩山遥感定标场地区的4组不同拍摄模式下获得的YG-13A卫星影像数据对比试验表明,相较于传统的斜距定标方法,在顾及大气延迟时变误差的情况下,4组数据的斜距改正值离散度均有所下降。利用太原、天津两个区域3景影像验证斜距改正后的精度,最小值为0.55 m,最大值为0.91 m,均值为0.70 m。试验结果证明了顾及大气延迟时变误差的斜距标定方法的有效性和可行性。     

Accuracy Assessment of Digital Elevation Model Generated by SAR Stereoscopic Technique Using COSMO-Skymed Data

Radargrammetry technique using the stereoscopic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is used for the generation of a digital elevation model (DEM) of a region requires only the amplitude images. SAR stereoscopic technique is analogous to the stereo-photogrammetric technique where the optical stereoscopic images are used for DEM generation. While the advantages of the SAR images are their indifference to atmospheric transparency and solar illumination conditions, the side-looking geometry of the SAR increases the complexity in the SAR stereo analysis. The availability of high spatial and temporal resolution SAR data in recent years has facilitated generation of high-resolution DEM with greater vertical accuracy using radargrammetric technique. In the present study, attempt has been made to generate the DEM of Dehra Dun region, India, from the COSMO-Skymed X-band SAR data-pair acquired at 8 days interval through the radargrammetry technique. Here, radargrammetric orientation approach has been adopted to generate the DEM and various issues and processing steps with the radargrammetry technique have been discussed. The DEM was validated with ground measured elevation values using a differential global positioning system and the root-mean-square error of the DEM was found as 7.3 m. The DEM was compared with the reference DEM of the study area generated from the Cartosat-1 stereo data with a model accuracy of 4 m.     

利用L波段星载重复轨道干涉SAR提取DEM及大气效应分析

以四川省茂县、安县地区的ALOS PALSAR L波段雷达影像为数据源,在对地形复杂区的配准、解缠等算法研究的基础上,结合SAR特有的成像几何结构,对两幅SAR图像进行快速自动配准,配准误差小于0.2个像元;在去除平地引起的干涉相位变化后,运用MCF对缠绕相位进行解缠,在此基础上提取研究区的数字高程模型(DEM),分析发现精度受多种因素影响,其中波长较长的L波段数据比波长较短的时间相关性好,此外为消除大气效应,采用改进的相位累积法去除大气的影响,在一定程度上提高DEM精度。其误差范围在±10m左右,对快速提取地形信息具有一定的借鉴意义。     

基于特征提取的光学影像和SAR影像自动配准

针对现有的配准方法用于多光谱影像与SAR遥感影像配准时,存在受SAR图像斑纹噪声影像大、手工选取配准控制点精度低、利用图像景物特征配准时获取区域和边沿困难等问题,以SPOT5影像与RADARSATSAR影像配准进行实验,提出了一种利用改进的SIFT在提取的特征图像上寻找匹配点进行粗配准,然后利用交叉累积剩余熵作为相似性测度结合原始影像信息寻找光学特征图像的角点在SAR影像上的匹配点并进行精配准的方法,配准精度达到了子像素级水平。实验结果表明该方法对多源遥感影像有很强的适应性,配准精度高。     

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。     

小波域多时相干涉SAR数据融合

大气因素和高斯白噪声对由星载干涉SAR系统获取的干涉图相位有很大的影响，可能会极大地降低结果DEM的精度，提出了一种对多时相干涉SAR数据生成的独立DEM进行权重融合的方法，该算法在小波域当中估计了大气和高斯噪声的误差功率，并对多时相DEM进行权重融合。用河北省尚义县地区的ERS-1和ERS-2数据的研究表明，此算法可以很好地提高由干涉SAR获取的DEM的精度。     

PS-InSAR技术地面沉降研究与展望

近年来,合成孔径雷达差分干涉测量(D-InSAR)技术在许多领域取得了良好的应用成果,但D-In-SAR确受时间失相干因素影响很大,同时大气效应也会影响D-InSAR的测量精度。1999年Ferrettit提出了永久散射体技术(Perm anent Scatterer,PS),它通过识别SAR图像中的永久散射体,消除大气影响,充分利用长基线距的干涉图像对,最大限度地提高数据的利用率,能取得毫米级的地表形变测量精度,因而大大增强了干涉测量的环境适应能力及其精度。本文着重介绍了PS技术原理,对其与D-InSAR相互关系进行了讨论,最后在地面沉降监测等领域开展这项研究潜力进行了展望。     

稀少控制的多平台星载SAR联合几何定标方法

几何定标采用地面控制点获取距离-多普勒模型中的精确几何参数,用于完成星载SAR影像高精度几何定位。但在广域范围内,特别是高山地区域,控制点极难获取。此外,传统定标方法仅面向单一平台SAR影像,尚不能实现多平台影像的联合几何定标。针对上述问题,本文提出一种基于稀少控制的多平台星载SAR联合几何定标方法。该方法从包含实测控制点的主影像出发,使用点位追踪算法获取主影像与从影像之间的连接点,并以连接点为桥梁逐级完成从影像的几何定标。本文采用京津冀地区南北向分布共计235 km的3景TerraSAR-X、3景TanDEM-X、5景高分三号影像进行联合几何定标试验,仅使用5个控制点即完成了所有影像的几何定标,并利用SF-3050星站差分GNSS接收机采集实测GPS点进行精度评价。结果表明使用稀少控制点定标后的TSX/TDX影像的几何定位精度优于3 m,GF-3影像的几何定位精度优于7.5 m,验证了该方法的有效性和正确性。     

Phase ambiguity determination for the positioning of interferometric sar data

Interferometric SAR (InSAR) has established itself as a useful technique for precise cloud-independent topographic surveying and for the monitoring of topographic change at sub-centimetric accuracies. Despite this, measurements of the phase are still only available modulo 2 π and this leads to an ambiguity problem that is usually not explicitly resolved.
This paper presents a generalised method for the precise determination of the phase ambiguity that is independent of datum and projection biases. The method is based on those applied to Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals and shows that the far-field approximation is insufficient for precise positioning. Geometric similarities between InSAR and radargrammetry are highlighted. The solution presented allows the geolocation of a target to an accuracy limited only by the accuracy of the transmit–receive time of the sensor.     

DEM Extraction in Urban Areas Using High-Resolution TerraSAR-X Imagery

Three-dimensional (3D) spatial information is crucial for improving the quality of human life through urban planning and management, and it is widely utilized due to its rapid, periodic and inexpensive acquisition. In this context, extraction of digital surface and elevation models (DSM and DEM) is a significant research topic for space-borne optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) remote sensing. The DSMs include visible features on the earth’s surface such as vegetation, forest and elevated man-made objects, while DEMs contain only the bare ground. In this paper, using TerraSAR-X (TSX) high resolution Spotlight (HS) images, high-resolution interferometric DEM generation in a part of Istanbul urban area is aimed. This is not an easy task because of SAR imaging problems in complex geometry of urban settlements. The interferometric processing steps for DSM generation were discussed including critical parameters and thresholds to improve the quality of the final product and a 3 m gridded DSM was generated. The DSM-DEM conversion was performed by filtering and the quality of generated DEM was verified against a reference DEM from stereo photogrammetry with 3 m original grid spacing. The achieved root mean square error of height differences (RMSZ) varies from 7.09 to 8.11 m, depending on the terrain slope. The differential DEM, illustrates the height differences between generated DEM and the reference DEM, was generated to show the correlation between height differences and the coherence map. Finally, a perspective view of test area was created draping extracted DEM and a high-resolution IKONOS panchromatic image.     

Polar motion of the triaxial nonrigid Earth and atmospheric excitation

The present study aims to extend the traditional rotation theory of the rotational-symmetric Earth to the triaxial Earth.We re-formulate the Liouville equations and their general solutions for the triaxial nonrigid Earth and find that the traditional theory intro-duces some theoretical errors in modeling the excitation functions.Furthermore,we apply that theory to the atmospheric excitation and find that theoretical errors should not be neglected given the present measurement accuracy.Thus we conclude that the traditional the-ory of the rotation of the rotational-symmetric Earth should be revised and upgraded to include the effects of the Earth’s triaxiality.