A Review of Ten-Year Advances of Multi-Baseline SAR Interferometry Using TerraSAR-X Data

Abstract

Since its launch in 2007, TerraSAR-X has continuously provided spaceborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images of our planet with unprecedented spatial resolution, geodetic, and geometric accuracy. This has brought life to the once inscrutable SAR images, which deterred many researchers. Thanks to merits like higher spatial resolution and more precise orbit control, we are now able to indicate individual buildings, even individual floors, to pinpoint targets within centimeter accuracy. As a result, multi-baseline SAR interferometric (InSAR) techniques are flourishing, from point target-based algorithms, to coherent stacking techniques, to absolute positioning of the former techniques. This article reviews the recent advances of multi-baseline InSAR techniques using TerraSAR-X images. Particular focus was put on our own development of persistent scatterer interferometry, SAR tomography, robust estimation in distributed scatterer interferometry and absolute positioning using geodetic InSAR. Furthermore, by introducing the applications associated with these techniques, such as 3D reconstruction and deformation monitoring, this article is also intended to give guidance to wider audiences who would like to resort to SAR data and related techniques for their applications.