First Evaluations of Airborne InSAR Time-Series

Abstract

To allow time-series analysis of airborne SAR images using PSs (Permanent Scatterers), this paper has two main objectives. The first is to show, in a quantitative way, that there is a compromise between the number of images used to detect PSs, their probability of being detected and their stability. This tradeoff is derived based on estimation and detection theories. The second objective is to investigate the possibility of the use of permanent scatterers to estimate undesired phase undulations in airborne data due to residual motion errors. A new technique is proposed, the so-called PS-PGA, where we apply the Phase Gradient algorithm on the PSs in order to obtain sub-wavelength estimations of residual motion errors for both master and slaves, separately, differently from current approaches. Compensation of these residual errors will lead to more reliable airborne D-InSAR measurements.