Sub-Canopy Ground Localization From Multi-Baseline Pol-InSAR Data at Different Frequencies in Forest Scenarios

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to address the penetration capabilities of different synthetic aperture radar (SAR) frequencies in forest scenarios in terms of “visibility” of the ground. First, the ratio between the ground and the volume scattering powers is estimated from multi-baseline polarimetric interferometric (Pol-InSAR) data across different forest types and frequencies. Afterwards, the resulting performance in the estimation of the ground height is characterized by comparing algorithms based on either the identification of the ground scatterer in tomographic profiles, or on the inversion of a model. This analysis is supported by experimental results obtained with multi-frequency, multi-baseline Pol-InSAR data acquired by the DLR’s E-/F-SAR airborne platforms over different forest types.