TomoSAR vertical profiles at multiple SAR frequencies: an experimental analysis

Abstract

All radar frequencies (from P- up to X-band) can image horizontal and/or vertical forest structure, although with different structure information content and sensitivity. The assessment of both is crucial for instance in understanding synergies and complementarities of multiple SAR bands towards enhanced forest structure products. In this work, the information content of tomographic vertical reflectivity profiles at multiple frequencies is investigated. These experiments have been carried out by processing purposely acquired airborne data at P-, L-, S-, and X-band over the temperate forest of Traunstein (South of Germany). As shorter wavelengths are more sensitive to temporal decorrelation, suitable Pol-InSAR single-pass acquisition schemes and the related tomographic processing algorithms are discussed as well.