Change Detection from Extensive Time-Series

Abstract

Due to the repeat-pass orbit of the TerraSAR-X mission, time series exploitation is an outstanding capability with a wide range of possible applications. In comparison to electro-optical systems, a space borne radar images radiometry is hardly influenced by atmospheric conditions resulting in highly robust change information between image pairs. Nevertheless, other radar-specific imaging effects like noise, side lobes or interference are rather disadvantageous for image processing. Especially in urban environment the visual interpretation of radar signatures depicts a challenging task even for experienced radar image analysts. The processing of extensive time series allows a significant de-speckling that can be used e.g. for a more robust change detection.