Time-Series evaluation of azimuth displacements retrieval with the experimental TerraSAR-X 2-looks TOPS acquisition mode

Abstract

This contribution will present the investigations carried out with stacked time-series of TerraSAR-X acquisitions made in the experimental 2-looks TOPS mode. The characteristics and benefits of this interferometric mode have been already presented in [1]. One of the advantages of the use of 2-looks TOPS mode images is the ability to estimate the scene motion in a repeat-pass configuration in the azimuth direction over non-stationary areas with a similar accuracy to the one given by the stripmap mode but providing wide coverage. The focus of this contribution is the application to time-series, where slow azimuthal motion is expected. Several aspects will be analyzed. In first place, the impact of the tropospheric delay on the azimuthal measurements is reviewed. The achievable accuracy employing a time series is presented for the along-track direction and compared to the accuracy achievable in the across-track direction. Moreover the achievable 3D performance when combining ascending and descending acquisitions will be exposed. A time-series over Mexico City with experimental TerraSAR-X acquistions has been started in March 2016 and we planned to make a validation of the achievable along-track accuracy and present results. [1] P. Prats-Iraola, N. Yague-Martinez, S. Wollstadt, T. Kraus, R. Scheiber. Demonstration of the Applicability of 2-Look Burst Modes in Non-Stationary Scenarios with TerraSAR-X. EUSAR 2016, Hamburg, Germany.